A heuristic quantum theory of the integer quantum Hall effect

TL;DR

This paper proposes a heuristic quantum model for the integer quantum Hall effect that explains quantized currents without disorder or interactions, aligning with experimental observations and explaining QHE breakdown at high currents.

Contribution

It introduces a new quantum theory based on classical electron drift quantization, challenging conventional disorder-based explanations of the QHE.

Findings

Quantized current emitted by contacts in 2DEG under electric and magnetic fields.

Model explains QHE breakdown at high current densities.

Aligns with recent experimental findings on bias voltage effects.

Abstract

Contrary to common belief, the current emitted by a contact embedded in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) is quantized in the presence of electric and magnetic fields. This observation suggests a simple, clearly defined model for the quantum current through a Hall device that does not invoke disorder or interactions as the cause of the integer quantum Hall effect (QHE), but is based on a proper quantization of the classical electron drift motion. The theory yields a quantitative description of the breakdown of the QHE at high current densities that is in agreement with experimental data. Furthermore, several of its key points are in line with recent findings of experiments that address the dependency of the QHE on the 2DEG bias voltage, results that are not easily explained within the framework of conventional QHE models.