Condensed Matter Theory

Abstract:

We discuss the behaviour of a quantum Hall system when two Landau levels with opposite spin and combined filling factor near unity are brought into energetic coincidence using an in-plane component of magnetic field. We focus on the interpretation of recent experiments under these conditions [Zeitler et al, Phys. Rev. Lett. 86, 866 (2001); Pan et al, Phys. Rev. B 64, 121305 (2001)], in which a large resistance anisotropy develops at low temperatures. Modelling the systems involved as Ising quantum Hall ferromagnets, we suggest that this transport anisotropy reflects domain formation induced by a random field arising from isotropic sample surface roughness.

Abstract:

Dynamics of an array of line defects interacting with a background elastic medium is studied in the linear regime. It is shown that the inertial coupling between the defects and the ambient phonons leads to an anomalous response behavior for the deformation modes of a defect-lattice, in the form of anisotropic and anomalous mass and elastic constants, resonant dissipation through excitation of phonons, and instabilities. The case of a single fluctuating line defect is also studied, and it is shown that it could lead to formation of shock waves in the elastic medium for sufficiently high frequency deformation modes.