Microwave Reflection Spectroscopy of a Two-Dimensional Electron Gas

Cyclotron resonance (CR) is a standard method to determine the carrier effective mass in two-dimensional electron systems, typically by measuring/analyzing the absorption or transmission signal. Here we report a microwave spectrometer utilizing the reflection signal. In our experiment setup based on a top-loading helium3 cryostat and a superconducting solenoid, the microwave (up to 40GHz)~ is sent down via a coax cable to the sample surface, and the reflection signal is then collected by the same cable and fed upward to a directional coupler, and being detected. We demonstrate the applicability of the spectrometer by measuring the CR of high-mobility electrons or holes in GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wells. The construction of spectrometer, preliminary data, and brief discussions will be presented. The work at Rice was supported by Welch Foundation grant C-1682.