Sample interview questions: Can you explain the concept of quantum Hall effect and its significance in solid-state physics?
Sample answer:
The quantum Hall effect is a remarkable phenomenon observed in certain two-dimensional electron systems subjected to strong magnetic fields perpendicular to their plane. It is characterized by the emergence of highly quantized Hall resistance and the formation of distinct plateaus in the Hall conductivity as a function of magnetic field.
- Concept:
- In the classical Hall effect, the Lorentz force acting on moving charges in a magnetic field gives rise to a transverse voltage, known as the Hall voltage.
-
In the quantum Hall effect, however, the Hall resistance becomes quantized to specific values, given by:
R_H = (h/e^2) * (1/ν)
where h is Planck’s constant, e is the elementary charge, and ν is an integer known as the Landau level filling factor. -
Significance in Solid-State Physics:
- The quantum Hall effect provides a powerful tool to study the electronic properties of two-dimensional systems, including the density of states, effective mass, and scattering mechanisms.
- It has led to the discovery of new quantum phenomena, such as the fractional quantum Hall effect and the integer quantum Hall effect, which ha… Read full answer
Source: https://hireabo.com/job/5_0_12/Solid-State%20Physicist