QUENCHING OF PERSISTENT PHOTOCONDUCTIVITY BY ELECTRICAL PULSES

The changes produced in the properties of a low-dimensional electron g as in heterostructures at liquid-helium temperatures by electric pulse s of different amplitudes and different durations were investigated. I t is shown that the parameters of low-dimensional electrons and the ge ometric dimensions of the conducting channel in submicron quantum wire s can be controlled by applying short electric pulses to the structure . It is demonstrated that electric and light pulses produce opposite c hanges in the properties of the electron gas, which makes it legitimat e to speak of the quenching of persistent conductivity. (C) 1996 Ameri can Institute of Physics.