Quantum Nernst Effect

Abstract

It is theoretically predicted that the Nernst coefficient is strongly suppressed and the thermal conductance is quantized in the quantum Hall regime of the two-dimensional electron gas. The Nernst effect is the induction of a thermomagnetic electromotive force in the $y$ direction under a temperature bias in the $x$ direction and a magnetic field in the $z$ direction. The quantum nature of the Nernst effect is analyzed with the use of a circulating edge current and is demonstrated numerically. The present system is a physical realization of the non-equilibrium steady state.