Using Quantized Breakdown Voltage Signals to Determine the Maximum Electric Fields in a Quantum Hall Effect Sample

We estimate the maximum values of the electric field across the width of a GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure quantum Hall effect sample at several currents when the sample is in the breakdown regime. This estimate is accomplished by measuring the quantized longitudinal voltage drops along a length of the sample and then employing a quasielastic inter-Landau level scattering (QUILLS) model to calculate the electric field. We also present a pictorial description of how QUILLS transitions occurring between states distributed across the sample width can be detected as voltage signals along the sample length.