Quantum Gunn effect: Zero-resistance state in 2D electron gas

TL;DR

This paper explores a novel zero-resistance state in a 2D electron gas under high electric fields and magnetic flux quantization, revealing a new form of conductivity quantization influenced by microwave emission and spin effects.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of a quantum Gunn effect where high electric fields induce a zero-resistance state with unique quantization properties in 2D electron gases.

Findings

Conductivity quantizes in units of hc/e under high electric fields and magnetic flux.

Resistivity reaches zero in the high electric field region due to flux quantization.

Spin dependence modifies the effective charge, affecting quantization factors.

Abstract

Usually the conductivity is quantized as the inverse of the resistivity, \rho=hc/ie^2, \sigma=ie^2/hc and the velocity versus the electric field is linear, v=\mu E where \mu is the mobility of the electrons.However,when the applied electric field exceeds a certain value, microwaves are emitted and the relation v=\mu E breaks down so that the velocity actually reduces as E increases. In this region, when magnetic field is applied, the conductivity quantizes like the magnetic field, i.e., in units of hc/e which is different from the usual quantization. Because of the flux quantization, the resistivity will touch zero in the region of high electric field. Factors like 4/5 arise due to new spin dependence of the effective charge.