Microwave-induced magnetoresistance of two-dimensional electrons interacting with acoustic phonons

Abstract

The influence of electron-phonon interaction on magnetotransport in two-dimensional electron systems under microwave irradiation is studied theoretically. Apart from the phonon-induced resistance oscillations which exist in the absence of microwaves, the magnetoresistance of irradiated samples contains oscillating contributions due to electron scattering on both impurities and acoustic phonons. The contributions due to electron-phonon scattering are described as a result of the interference of phonon-induced and microwave-induced resistance oscillations. In addition, microwave heating of electrons leads to a special kind of phonon-induced oscillations. The relative strength of different contributions and their dependence on parameters are discussed. The interplay of numerous oscillating contributions suggests a peculiar magnetoresistance picture in high-mobility layers at the temperatures when electron-phonon scattering becomes important.