Theory of the Shubnikov-de Haas effect in quasi-two-dimensional metals

TL;DR

This paper investigates the Shubnikov-de Haas effect in quasi-two-dimensional metals, revealing new qualitative effects and differences from classical models, with implications for anisotropic organic metals.

Contribution

It provides a detailed theoretical analysis of the effect, introducing new qualitative phenomena and contrasting the results with traditional Boltzmann transport predictions.

Findings

Identification of a field-dependent phase shift of beats

Discovery of slow oscillations of conductivity

Differences from Boltzmann transport equation predictions

Abstract

The Shubnikov - de Haas effect in quasi-two-dimensional normal metals is studied. The interlayer conductivity is calculated using the Kubo formula. The electron scattering on short-range is considered in the self-consistent Born approximation. The result obtained differs from that derived from the Boltzmann transport equation. This difference is shown to be a general feature of conductivity in magnetic field. A detailed description of the two new qualitative effects -- the field-dependent phase shift of beats and of the slow oscillations of conductivity is provided. The results obtained are applicable to strongly anisotropic organic metals and to other quasi-two-dimensional compounds.