Temperature effects on microwave-induced resistivity oscillations and zero-resistance states in two-dimensional electron systems

Abstract

In this work we address theoretically a key issue concerning microwave-induced longitudinal resistivity oscillations and zero resistance states, namely, temperature. In order to explain the strong temperature dependence of the longitudinal resistivity and the thermally activated transport in two-dimensional electron gas, we have developed a microscopic model based on the damping suffered by the microwave-driven electronic orbit dynamics by interactions with the lattice ions yielding acoustic phonons. Recent experimental results show a reduction in the amplitude of the longitudinal resistivity oscillations and a breakdown of zero resistance states as the radiation intensity increases. In order to explain it we have included in our model the electron heating due to large microwave intensities and its effect on the longitudinal resistivity.