Nematic phase of the two-dimensional electron gas in a magnetic field

The two-dimensional electron gas (ZDEG) in moderate magnetic fields in ultr aclean AlAa-GaAs heterojunctions exhibits transport anomalies suggestive of a compressible anisotropic metallic start. Using scaling arguments and Mon te Carlo simulations, we develop an order parameter theory of an electron n ematic phase. The observed temperature dependence of the resistivity anisot ropy behaves like the orientational order parameter if the transition to th e nematic state occurs at a finite temperature T-c similar to 65 mK, and is slightly rounded by a small background microscopic anisotropy. We propose a light scattering experiment to measure the critical susceptibility.