The possibility of a metal insulator transition in antidot arrays induced by an external driving

TL;DR

This paper explores how an external AC electric field can induce a metal-insulator transition in antidot arrays, modeled through a simplified version of the kicked Harper model relevant for cyclotron resonance experiments.

Contribution

It introduces a simplified model connecting antidot array electron dynamics with the kicked Harper model, revealing electric field-induced metal-insulator transitions.

Findings

Model shows extreme sensitivity to electric field strength.

A metal-insulator transition can be induced by varying the electric field.

Experimental conditions for observing the transition are discussed.

Abstract

It is shown that a family of models associated with the kicked Harper model is relevant for cyclotron resonance experiments in an antidot array. For this purpose a simplified model for electronic motion in a related model system in presence of a magnetic field and an AC electric field is developed. In the limit of strong magnetic field it reduces to a model similar to the kicked Harper model. This model is studied numerically and is found to be extremely sensitive to the strength of the electric field. In particular, as the strength of the electric field is varied a metal -- insulator transition may be found. The experimental conditions required for this transition are discussed.