Abstract
We study conductance through a system of weakly coupled narrow wires formed in the plane of a heterojunction, where a voltage is applied perpendicular to the wires, in the plane. We find an abrupt onset of current as is increased beyond a certain critical value. In contrast, when is swept down there is a gradual decrease in current which extends well below the critical . The abrupt onset and the hysteresis are interpreted in terms of a bistability of the system, where the conducting state is associated with dynamic depopulation of the wires. Additional features in the conductance are also observed and discussed.
- Received 16 April 1996
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.54.R5247
©1996 American Physical Society