Magnetically stimulated inhomogeneity of conductivity and nonlocal transport phenomena in metals

Abstract

Charge transport in a conducting medium with a magnetically stimulated inhomogeneity of kinetic coefficients along the direction of transport is investigated both experimentally and analytically. Measurements were made on samples in the form of high-purity polycrystalline aluminum plates whose conductivity inhomogeneity was simulated by the technique of curving of current lines so that the local normal component of the applied magnetic field varies according to an exponential or quadratic law. The relations describing the tensor connection between the electric field and charge flux density are used to calculate spatial dependence of the potential. The sign reversal of the electric field is described as the result of competition between the potential contributions from the current along the transverse magnetic field gradient and the Hall current at right angles to it.