Experimental determination of the mean free path of screened edge magnetoplasmons in a two-dimensional electron gas

Abstract

Magnetic oscillations of the photovoltage in a two-dimensional electron system with the back gate, exposed to microwave radiation, are studied. The oscillations result from the interference of screened edge magnetoplasmons (EMPs). The mean free path of the EMPs is quantitatively determined by analyzing the dependence of the oscillation amplitude on the electron density. The dependences of the mean free path of the EMPs on the two-dimensional electron density, microwave frequency, electron relaxation time, and the magnetic field are studied. It is found that the dependences agree qualitatively with the known theoretical calculations. © 2008 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.