Deconstruction of the Trap Model for the New Conducting State in 2D

TL;DR

This paper critically examines the trap model predicting resistivity upturns in 2D conductors, showing that its key temperature parameter increases with decreasing density, thus conflicting with experimental observations.

Contribution

The study deconstructs the trap model for 2D conduction, demonstrating its inconsistency with experimental data regarding the temperature dependence on density.

Findings

$T_{min}$ increases with decreasing density, contrary to the trap model prediction.

The trap model does not align with observed experimental trends.

The model's assumptions are challenged based on new analysis.

Abstract

A key prediction of the trap model for the new conducting state in 2D is that the resistivity turns upwards below some characteristic temperature, $T_{\rm min}$. Altshuler, Maslov, and Pudalov have argued that the reason why no upturn has been observed for the low density conducting samples is that the temperature was not low enough in the experiments. We show here that $T_{\rm min}$ within the Altshuler, Maslov, and Pudalov trap model actually increases with decreasing density, contrary to their claim. Consequently, the trap model is not consistent with the experimental trends.