Spin-droplet state of an interacting 2D electron system

Phys Rev Lett. 2012 Nov 30;109(22):226403. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.109.226403. Epub 2012 Nov 27.

Abstract

We report thermodynamic magnetization measurements of two-dimensional electrons in several high-mobility Si metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors. We provide evidence for an easily polarizable electron state in a wide density range from insulating to deep into the metallic phase. The temperature and magnetic field dependence of the magnetization is consistent with the formation of large-spin droplets in the insulating phase. These droplets melt in the metallic phase with increasing density and temperature, though they survive up to large densities.