Wide variable integer quantum Hall plateaus in macroscopic high mobility 2DEG with a smooth confining potential

Abstract

We consider theoretically the integer quantum Hall effect (IQHE) in macroscopic high mobility 2DEG systems subject to a smooth confining potential V( y), within the framework of the semiclassical approximation. We find that edge state transport, which has so far been associated with the IQHE in narrow channel devices, dominates also in this case, as V( y) serves to break the degeneracy among different Landau states. This leads to variable wide quantum Hall plateaus, such that the dissipative “riser” region can be significantly reduced experimentally by adjusting the confining potential V( y) via appropriate multiple or resistive gate voltages.