Geometric suppression of single-particle energy spacings in quantum antidots

Abstract

Quantum antidot (AD) structures have remarkable properties in the integer quantum Hall regime, exhibiting Coulomb-blockade charging and the Kondo effect despite their open geometry. In some regimes a simple single-particle (SP) model suffices to describe experimental observations while in others interaction effects are clearly important, although exactly how and why interactions emerge is unclear. We present a combination of experimental data and the results of new calculations concerning SP orbital states which show how the observed suppression of the energy spacing between states can be explained through a full consideration of the AD potential,without requiring any effects due to electron interactions such as the formation of compressible regions composed of multiple states,which may occur at higher magnetic fields. A full understanding of the regimes in which these effects occur is important for the design of devices to coherently manipulate electrons in edge states using AD resonances.