Tunneling spectroscopy of voltage tunable quantum wires

Resonant tunneling spectroscopy is used to investigate the tuning range for the one-dimensional subband spacing of side-gated quantum wires. We introduce a simplified selective depletion scheme for the implementation of a resonant tunneling device. From the analysis of the differential tunneling conductance obtained for a single-wire device we conclude that the energetic spacing for the one-dimensional subbands can be varied from effectively 0 to about 6 meV. Measurements in magnetic fields directed parallel and perpendicular to the tunnel current confirm the one-dimensional nature of the tunneling processes as well as the order of magnitude of the subband spacing by comparison of the tunneling characteristics with a model calculation that assumes a parabolic confinement.