Magnetic Field Stabilized Electron-Hole Liquid in Indirect-Band-Gap AlxGa1-xAs

An electron-hole liquid (EHL), a condensed liquidlike phase of free electrons and holes in a semiconductor, presents a unique system for exploring quantum many-body phenomena. While the behavior of EHLs is generally understood, less attention has been devoted to systematically varying the onset of their formation and resulting properties. We report on an experimental approach to tune the conditions of formation and characteristics using a combination of low excitation densities and high magnetic fields up to 90 T. Demonstration of this approach was carried out in indirect-band-gap Al0.387Ga0.613As. EHL droplets can be nucleated from one of two multiexciton complex states depending on the applied excitation density. Furthermore, the excitation density influences the carrier density of the EHL at high magnetic fields, where filling of successive Landau levels can be controlled. The ability to manipulate the formation pathway, temperature, and carrier density of the EHL phase under otherwise fixed experimental conditions makes our approach a powerful tool for studying condensed carrier phases in further detail.