We report the formation of large-scale steady-state whirlpools in a GaAs-based two-dimensional electron liquid and demonstrate them by straightforward transport measurements. A whirlpool forming inside a circular cavity adjoining a wide conducting channel appears as a negative four-terminal resistance over a broad range of temperatures and cavity sizes. The effect scales with the Gurzhi length, in quantitative accord with the hydrodynamic analogy. Obtained results firmly establish this analogy and probe the limits of its applicability.

Close

PrevNext

View figure in article

• Ballistic transport
• Mesoscopics
• Transport phenomena
• III-V semiconductors
• Two-dimensional electron gas
• Electrical transport techniques
• Finite-element method
• Resistivity measurements