Quantum Gunn effect: Zero-resistance state in 2D electron gas

Abstract

Usually the conductivity is quantized as the inverse of the resistivity, ρ=hc/ie^2, σ=ie^2/hc and the velocity versus the electric field is linear, v=μE where μis the mobility of the electrons.However,when the applied electric field exceeds a certain value, microwaves are emitted and the relation v=μE breaks down so that the velocity actually reduces as E increases. In this region, when magnetic field is applied, the conductivity quantizes like the magnetic field, i.e., in units of hc/e which is different from the usual quantization. Because of the flux quantization, the resistivity will touch zero in the region of high electric field. Factors like 4/5 arise due to new spin dependence of the effective charge.