Equilibrium statistical mechanics of a nearly classical one-component plasma in a magnetic field, in three or two dimensions1–3)

A. Alastuey and B. Jancovici

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, 1981, vol. 106, issue 1, 290-291

Abstract: The behaviour of a nearly classical one-component plasma in a magnetic field is studied. The Wigner distribution function obeys a Bloch equation which can be cast into an explicitly gauge-invariant form. If the de Broglie wavelength λ is small compared to all other characteristics length, Planck's constant ħ is a small parameter, and a straight Wigner-Kirkwood expansion in powers of ħ2 can be used. In a strong field, the Landau radius l becomes smaller than λ, and a modified expansion must be devised. Exchange effects give only exponentially small corrections. The leading term of the induced magnetization is independent of the interactions between the particles; the next term is structure-independent for the three-dimensional case. A strong magnetic field quenches the position quantum fluctuations transverse to it. In two dimensions, in the strong field limit, the plasma is a system of point-like Landau orbits, which behave like classical particles; as a consequence, a classical Wigner crystallization can be induced by the magnetic field. The model can be used for describing electron layers at the surface of liquid helium or in a metal-oxide-semiconductor sandwich (MOS).

Date: 1981
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Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:phsmap:v:106:y:1981:i:1:p:290-291

DOI: 10.1016/0378-4371(81)90226-0

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