Non-linear transport near ν= 1 in a high mobility two-dimensional electron gas and the breakdown of integer quantum Hall Wigner solid*

The integer quantum Hall Wigner solid was recently observed in high mobility GaAs two-dimensional electron gas samples near filling factor ν = 1. We performed large signal current-voltage characteristic measurements in the region of this phase. We observed well-defined breakdown behavior in the regions of both the integer quantum Hall Wigner solid and the Anderson insulator. To our surprise, we find that the critical current exhibits a monotonic dependence as the filling factor moves away from the center of the ν = 1 plateau, even in the region of the Wigner solid. Therefore, it appears that the breakdown in the current-voltage characteristics measured along the ν = 1 integer quantum Hall plateau does not differentiate the reentrant integer quantum Hall Wigner solid from the Anderson insulator.