Thomas-Fermi-Poisson theory of screening for latterally confined and unconfined two-dimensional electron systems in strong magnetic fields

TL;DR

This paper investigates the screening behavior of a two-dimensional electron gas in strong magnetic fields using a self-consistent Thomas-Fermi-Poisson approach, revealing analytical relations in the non-linear screening regime at zero temperature.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of screening properties in 2DEG under strong magnetic fields, comparing different confinement models and deriving simple analytical expressions.

Findings

Screened potential variation relates to modulation amplitude and magnetic field strength.

Non-linear screening limit exhibits predictable analytical behavior.

Comparison of unconfined and confined geometries shows consistent screening characteristics.

Abstract

We examine within the self-consistent Thomas-Fermi-Poisson approach the low-temperature screening properties of a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) subjected to strong perpendicular magnetic fields. Numerical results for the unconfined 2DEG are compared with those for a simplified Hall bar geometry realized by two different confinement models. It is shown that in the strongly non-linear screening limit of zero temperature the total variation of the screened potential is related by simple analytical expressions to the amplitude of an applied harmonic modulation potential and to the strength of the magnetic field.