Electrically Controlled Nuclear Spin Polarization and Relaxation by Quantum-Hall States

Abstract

We study interactions between electrons and nuclear spins by using the resistance ( Rxx) peak which develops near the Landau-level filling factor nu = 2/3 as a probe. Temporarily tuning nu to a different value, nu(temp), with a gate demonstrates that the Rxx peak regenerates even after complete depletion ( nu(temp) = 0), while it rapidly relaxes on either side of nu(temp) = 1. This indicates that the nu = 2/3 domain morphology is memorized by the nuclear spins which can be rapidly depolarized by Skyrmions. An additional enhancement in the nuclear spin relaxation around nu = 1/2 and 3/2 suggests a Fermi sea of partially polarized composite fermions.