Microwave-induced magnetooscillations and absolute negative conductivity in the multisubband two-dimensional electron system on liquid helium

TL;DR

This paper explains how microwave-induced nonequilibrium subband filling causes absolute negative conductivity and zero-resistance states in a 2D electron system on liquid helium, through sign-changing magnetoconductivity oscillations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism involving quasi-elastic inter-subband scattering that explains recent experimental observations of magnetooscillations and zero-resistance states.

Findings

Microwave resonance induces nonequilibrium subband filling.

Sign-changing magnetoconductivity oscillations occur without photon involvement.

The theory explains recent experimental zero-resistance states.

Abstract

It is shown that a nonequilibrium filling of an upper surface subband induced by the microwave resonance can be the origin of the absolute negative conductivity and zero-resistance states for the two-dimensional electron system on liquid helium under magnetic field applied normally. Contrary to the similar effect reported for semiconductor systems, an oscillating sign-changing correction to the dc-magnetoconductivity appears due to quasi-elastic iter-subband scattering which does not involve photons. The analysis given explains remarkable magnetooscillations and zero-resistance states recently observed for electrons on liquid helium.