Multiphoton processes in microwave photoresistance of 2D electron system

M. A. Zudov, R. R. Du, L. N. Pfeiffer, K. W. West

Published 2005-12-19Version 1

We extend our studies of microwave photoresistance of ultra-high mobility two-dimensional electron system (2DES) into the high-intensity, non-linear regime employing both monochromatic and bichromatic radiation. Under high-intensity monochromatic radiation $\omega$ we observe new zero-resistance states (ZRS) which correspond to rational values of $\epsilon=\omega/\omega_C$ ($\omega_C$ is the cyclotron frequency) and can be associated with multiphoton processes. %Formation of these rational ZRS is accompanied by a dramatic reconstruction of the photoresistance spectrum which reveals diminishing, narrowing, and phase reduction of the resistance peaks, as well as overall suppression of resistance at $\epsilon<1/2$. Under bichromatic radiation $\omega_1,\omega_2$ we discover new resistance minimum, possibly a precursor of bichromatic ZRS, which seems to originate from a frequency mixing process, $\omega_1+\omega_2$. These findings indicate that multiphoton processes play important roles in the physics of non-equilibrium transport of microwave-driven 2DES, and suggest new directions for theoretical and experimental studies.