The two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) in reduced strontium titanate offers a versatile platform for oxide electronics, yet its dissipation mechanisms under field driven charge fluctuations remain poorly understood. Here, we combine low-temperature atomic force microscopy with scanning tunneling spectroscopy to probe the force and dissipation responses of a mechanical oscillator interacting with the STO 2DEG. The observation of Rydberg-like image potential states by tunneling experiments confirm the 2DEG formation, while dissipation spectroscopy reveals bias-dependent peaks linked to local electrostatic gating and charge redistribution within the 2DEG energy sub-bands. Our analysis identifies electron exchange between oxygen vacancies and the 2DEG as a dominant mechanism responsible for AFM dissipation peaks. These features are quantitatively explained by variations in quantum capacitance as carrier density is tuned by electric fields. Under magnetic fields, dissipation peaks obey the Kohler’s rule, allowing extraction of carrier mobilities in each sub-band. Our results establish a non-invasive AFM-based methodology for quantifying energy losses in quantum oxides, providing new insights into charge dynamics relevant for spintronic applications. The dissipation mechanisms in the two-dimensional electron gas on strontium titanate surface remain elusive, hindering advancements in oxide electronics. Here, the authors use low-temperature atomic force microscopy and scanning tunnelling spectroscopy to reveal electron exchange dynamics and quantify energy losses, offering insights crucial for developing spintronic devices.
Gupta et al. (Mon,) studied this question.