Electron accumulation layer in ultrastrong magnetic field

M. Sammon, Han Fu, B. I. Shklovskii

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

1 Scopus citations

Abstract

When a three-dimensional electron gas is subjected to a very strong magnetic field, it can reach a quasi-one-dimensional state in which all electrons occupy the lowest Landau level. This state is referred to as the extreme quantum limit (EQL) and has been studied in the physics of pulsars and bulk semiconductors. Here we present a theory of the EQL phase in electron accumulation layers created by an external electric field E at the surface of a semiconductor with a large Bohr radius such as InSb, PbTe, SrTiO3 (STO), and particularly in the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 (LAO/STO) heterostructure. The phase diagram of the electron gas in the plane of the magnetic field strength and the electron surface concentration is found for different orientations of the magnetic field. We find that in addition to the quasi-classical metallic phase (M), there is a metallic EQL phase, as well as an insulating Wigner crystal state (WC). Within the EQL phase, the Thomas-Fermi approximation is used to find the electron density and the electrostatic potential profiles of the accumulation layer. Additionally, the quantum capacitance for each phase is calculated as a tool for experimental study of these phase diagrams.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)283-290
Number of pages8
JournalFizika Nizkikh Temperatur (Kharkov)
Volume43
Issue number2
StatePublished - Feb 2017

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© M. Sammon, Han Fu, and B.I. Shklovskii, 2017.

Keywords

  • Extreme quantum limit
  • Thomas-Fermi approximation
  • Ultrastrong magnetic field
  • Wigner crystal state

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Electron accumulation layer in ultrastrong magnetic field'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this