Magnetotunneling spectroscopy of a quantum well in the regime of classical chaos

Abstract

Resonant tunneling spectroscopy is used to study the energy-level spectrum of a new chaotic dynamical system, an electron in a trapezoidal potential well in the presence of a high magnetic field tilted relative to the confining barriers. Distinct series of quasi-periodic resonances are observed in the current-voltage chracteristics which change dramatically with tilt angle. These resonances are related to unstable closed orbits within the chaotic domain. The experimental results are explained by identifying and studying the properties of periodic orbits accessible to the tunneling electrons.