Phonon assisted formation of quantum Hall plateaus

We present model calculations which elucidate the role of electron-phonon i nteraction in the formation of quantized Hall plateaus. In particular, we a nalyse the so-called compensating current, which plays the crucial part in the Hall plateau formation. Typically this current, is caused by electron s cattering through a disorder potential, however, a small fraction can also arise from scattering with phonons, We demonstrate that in special situatio ns even the entire compensating current, i.e., the entire Hall plateau is g enerated by scattering with phonons. Phonon induced Hall plateaus coexist w ith dissipation, This shows, that the absence of dissipation is, in princip le, not indispensable for the appearance of the quantum Hall effect. (C) 19 99 Elsevier Science B.V.