Nature of Integer Quantum Hall Transitions

Abstract

The mapping between the metal-insulator transition of the quantum Hall system and a superfluid-to-insulator transition is revisited based on a disordered anyon model. The one-parameter scaling of the superfluid-to-insulator transition is employed for the analysis of the scaling behavior of the integer quantum Hall transitions. The analysis reveals the direct transition from a quantum Hall plateau to the insulator in weak disorder limit, and a float-down transition for strong disorders. In either cases, the transition corresponds to a non-chirality superfluid-to-insulator transition, with the longitudinal and transverse quantum Hall conductivities following a semi-circle relation.