Quantum Oscillations in Black Phosphorus Two-dimensional Electron Gas

Abstract

Two-dimensional electron gases (2DEG) have been an important source of experimental discovery and conceptual development in condensed matter physics for decades. When combined with the unique electronic properties of two-dimensional (2D) crystals, rich new physical phenomena can be probed at the quantum level. Here, we create a new 2DEG in black phosphorus, a recent member of the two-dimensional atomic crystal family, using a gate electric field. We achieve high carrier mobility in black phosphorus 2DEG by placing it on a hexagonal boron nitride substrate (h-BN). This allows us, for the first time, to observe quantum oscillations in this material. The temperature and magnetic field dependence of the oscillations yields crucial information about the system, such as cyclotron mass and lifetime of its charge carriers. Our results, coupled with the fact that black phosphorus possesses anisotropic energy bands with a tunable, direct bandgap, distinguishes black phosphorus 2DEG as a novel system with unique electronic and optoelectronic properties.