Plasmon phenomena as origin of DC-current induced resistivity oscillations in two-dimensional electron systems

Abstract

We analyze theoretically the oscillations that the magnetoresistivity of two-dimensional electron systems present when a high intensity direct current is applied. In the model presented here we suggest that a plasma wave is excited in the system producing an oscillating motion of the whole two-dimensional electron gas at the plasma frequency. This scenario affects dramatically the way that electrons interact with scatterers giving rise to oscillations in the longitudinal resistivity. With this theoretical model experimental results are well reproduced and explained.