Probing the spatial electron distribution in InAs nanowires by anisotropic magnetoconductance fluctuations

Abstract

Low temperature conductance fluctuations in individual InAs nanowires are studied as a function of gate potential, magnetic field, and the angle between the field and the nanowire axis. The fluctuation pattern as a function of magnetic field shows a reduced flux pickup as the angle is varied from perpendicular to parallel. Statistically independent traces for each angle were measured and the angle dependence of the average correlation field is compared to theory. The results are consistent with the predictions for a geometry where electrons occupy the entire sample volume rather than a surface electron gas as has been speculated.