Peierls-type structural phase transition in a crystal induced by magnetic breakdown

TL;DR

This paper predicts a novel magnetic breakdown induced density wave phase transition in a quasi-two-dimensional electron system under high magnetic fields, characterized by unique temperature and magnetic field dependencies.

Contribution

It introduces a new type of phase transition driven by magnetic breakdown, distinct from traditional Peierls transitions, with specific properties in high magnetic fields.

Findings

Predicts stabilization of a density wave in high magnetic fields.

Shows the transition's critical temperature varies peculiarly with magnetic field.

Identifies qualitative differences from conventional Peierls density waves.

Abstract

We predict a new type of phase transition in a quasi-two dimensional system of electrons at high magnetic fields, namely the stabilization of a density wave which transforms a two dimensional open Fermi surface into a periodic chain of large pockets with small distances between them. The quantum tunneling of electrons between the neighboring closed orbits enveloping these pockets transforms the electron spectrum into a set of extremely narrow energy bands and gaps which decreases the total electron energy, thus leading to a magnetic breakdown induced density wave (MBIDW) ground state. We show that this DW instability has some qualitatively different properties in comparison to analogous DW instabilities of Peierls type. E. g. the critical temperature of the MBIDW phase transition arises and disappears in a peculiar way with a change of the inverse magnetic field.