Abstract
We consider a superlattice of parallel metal tunnel junctions with a spatially nonhomogeneous probability for electrons to tunnel. In such structures tunneling can be accompanied by electron scattering that conserves energy but not momentum. In the special case of a tunneling probability that varies periodically with period a in the longitudinal direction, i.e., perpendicular to the junctions, electron tunneling is accompanied by umklapp scattering, where the longitudinal momentum changes by a multiple of h/a. We predict that as a result a sequence of metal-insulator transitions can be induced by an external electric or magnetic field as the field strength is increased.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 184202 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Physical Review B: Condensed Matter and Materials Physics |
Volume | 85 |
Issue number | 18 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 3 May 2012 |
Cite this
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Umklapp-assisted electron transport oscillations in metal superlattices. / Kulinich, S. I.; Gorelik, L. Y.; Gredeskul, S. A.; Shekhter, R. I.; Jonson, M.
In: Physical Review B: Condensed Matter and Materials Physics, Vol. 85, No. 18, 184202, 03.05.2012.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - Umklapp-assisted electron transport oscillations in metal superlattices
AU - Kulinich, S. I.
AU - Gorelik, L. Y.
AU - Gredeskul, S. A.
AU - Shekhter, R. I.
AU - Jonson, M.
PY - 2012/5/3
Y1 - 2012/5/3
N2 - We consider a superlattice of parallel metal tunnel junctions with a spatially nonhomogeneous probability for electrons to tunnel. In such structures tunneling can be accompanied by electron scattering that conserves energy but not momentum. In the special case of a tunneling probability that varies periodically with period a in the longitudinal direction, i.e., perpendicular to the junctions, electron tunneling is accompanied by umklapp scattering, where the longitudinal momentum changes by a multiple of h/a. We predict that as a result a sequence of metal-insulator transitions can be induced by an external electric or magnetic field as the field strength is increased.
AB - We consider a superlattice of parallel metal tunnel junctions with a spatially nonhomogeneous probability for electrons to tunnel. In such structures tunneling can be accompanied by electron scattering that conserves energy but not momentum. In the special case of a tunneling probability that varies periodically with period a in the longitudinal direction, i.e., perpendicular to the junctions, electron tunneling is accompanied by umklapp scattering, where the longitudinal momentum changes by a multiple of h/a. We predict that as a result a sequence of metal-insulator transitions can be induced by an external electric or magnetic field as the field strength is increased.
U2 - 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.184202
DO - 10.1103/PhysRevB.85.184202
M3 - Article
VL - 85
JO - Physical Review B: Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
JF - Physical Review B: Condensed Matter and Materials Physics
SN - 1098-0121
IS - 18
M1 - 184202
ER -