Quantum Limit in a Parallel Magnetic Field in Layered Conductors

TL;DR

This paper investigates how a parallel magnetic field causes electron wave functions in layered conductors to localize on individual layers, analyzing the quantum limit where electron orbits are nano-scale, and proposes infrared measurements to explore Fermi surfaces.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical analysis of electron localization in layered conductors under high magnetic fields and suggests experimental methods to probe Fermi surfaces and Fermi liquid behavior.

Findings

Electron wave functions are always localized on conducting layers in a parallel magnetic field.

Quantum limit wave functions and spectra are characterized when orbit sizes are nano-scale.

Infrared measurements can be used to investigate Fermi surfaces in high magnetic fields.

Abstract

We show that electron wave functions in a quasi-two-dimensional conductor in a parallel magnetic field are always localized on conducting layers. Wave functions and electron spectrum in a quantum limit, where the "sizes" of quasi-classical electron orbits are of the order of nano-scale distances between the layers, are determined. AC infrared measurements to investigate Fermi surfaces and to test Fermi liquid theory in Q2D organic and high-Tc materials in high magnetic fields, H = 10-45 T, are suggested.