Microscopic theory for radiation-induced zero-resistance states in 2D electron systems: Franck-Condon blockade

Abstract

We present a microscopic model on radiation-induced zero resistance states according to a novel approach: Franck-Condon physics and blockade. Zero resistance states rise up from radiationinduced magnetoresistance oscillations when the light intensity is strong enough. The theory starts off with the radiation-driven electron orbit model that proposes an interplay of the swinging nature of the radiation-driven Landau states and the presence of charged impurity scattering. When the intensity of radiation is high enough it turns out that the driven-Landau states (vibrational states) involved in the scattering process are spatially far from each other and the corresponding electron wave functions do not longer overlap. As a result, it takes place a drastic suppression of the scattering probability and then current and magnetoresistance exponentially drop. Finally zero resistance states rise up. This is an application to magnetotransport in two dimensional electron systems of the Franck-Condon blockade, based on the Franck-Condon physics which in turn stems from molecular vibrational spectroscopy. PACS numbers:Radiation-induced magnetoresistance (R xx ) oscillations (RIRO) 1,2 turn up in high mobility two-dimensional electron systems (2DES) under illumination at low temperature (T ∼ 1K) and low magnetic fields (B) perpendicular to the 2DES. When increasing radiation power (P ), maxima and minima oscillations increase but the latter evolve into zero resistance states (ZRS) 1,2 . Many experiments 3-20 and theoretical explanations have been proposed to understand these effects but no consensus among the people devoted to this field has been reached yet. As an example of this lack of consensus, the two, in principle accepted theories 28,32 on RIRO are no longer so relevant because they cannot explain basic features such as the 1/4-cycle phase shift in the oscillation minima 1,44 or the sublinear power law dependence of RIRO 18,20 . And they can not explain either more recent experimental evidence, for instance, about polarization 21,22 . Therefore, we have to admit that to date, RIRO and ZRS are still open issues that remain in the cutting edge of condensed matter physics regarding radiation-mater interaction. And this is especially true in the case of ZRS, maybe the most intriguing and challenging effect that shows up in this field. Despite the fact that plenty of theories have been developed for RIRO, when it comes to ZRS only a few theoretical models have been put forward 23,31,46,50,51 . In general they predict negative R xx , while it was not experimentally confirmed. On the other hand, the most accepted theory on ZRS is based on the formation of current and electrical field domains 46 ; the key is the existence of an inhomogeneous current flowing through the sample due to the presence of a domain structure. Yet, this is a macroscopical model that overlooks any microscopic approach on ZRS.In this letter we develop a microscopic theory for ZRS that is based on the radiation-driven electron orbit model. The model, in t...

Bulletin of the Polish Academy of Sciences: Technical Sciences

“…1). The anisotropy of its properties allows researchers to look for unique (2D) electronic properties such as large electron mobility, quantum Hall effect, anomalous optical response, or induced states of zero resistance [17,18]. Due to the peculiarities of the structure, the layered crystal of group A 3 B 6 is a promising thermoelectric material with a high value of potential field [19].…”

Modification of Vibrational Parameters of a D∞h-Symmetric Triatomic Molecule in a Laser Plasma

“…The authors of [13] calculated the molecular spectra of metal-based tetrapyrrole derivatives in pigments. The authors of [14,15] investigated the vibrational spectra of 2D structures. Refs.…”