Abstract
A two-dimensional electron system without spatial inversion symmetry develops a sample specific dc voltage when exposed to a microwave radiation at low temperature. We investigate this photovoltaic (PV) effect in the case where spatial symmetry is broken by an evanescent high-frequency potential. We measure the induced PV voltage in a Hall bar at magnetic fields in the tesla range. We find that in this regime the induced PV voltage is antisymmetric with magnetic field and exhibits regular Shubnikov–de Haas-type oscillations. Our experimental results can be understood from a simple model, which describes the effect of stationary orbital currents caused by microwave driving.
- Received 6 February 2009
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.79.195309
©2009 American Physical Society