Phonon mediated drag in double layer two dimensional electron systems

H. Noh, S. Zelakiewicz, T. J. Gramila, L. N. Pfeiffer, K. W. West

Published 1999-04-13Version 1

Experiments studying phonon mediated drag in the double layer two dimensional electron gas system are reported. Detailed measurements of the dependence of drag on temperature, layer spacing, density ratio, and matched density are discussed. Comparisons are made to theoretical results [M. C. Bonsager et al., Phys. Rev. B 57, 7085 (1998)] which propose the existence of a new coupled electron-phonon collective mode. The layer spacing and density dependence at matched densities for samples with layer spacings below 2600 A do not support the existence of this mode, showing behavior expected for independent electron and phonon systems. The magnitude of the drag, however, suggests the alternate limit; one in which electrons and phonons are strongly coupled. The results for still larger layer spacing show significant discrepancies with the behavior expected for either limit.