Effect of magnetic field on electrical conduction in a superlattice

The difference in the effective mass of the electron in the adjacent layers of a superlattice, produces a coupling between the electron states. which are in the parallel and perpendicular directions to the growth axis. In the presence of a magnetic held, directed normal to the layers, the coupling l eads to changes in the band structure, and hence changes in the conduction properties of the superlattice. We examine, in specific, the effect of the magnetic field on the widths of the subbands, the amplitude of Bloch oscill ations, the transition from band to hopping conduction, and the criterion f or observing the quantum Hall effect in a typical superlattice. (C) 2000 El sevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.