Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 23, 2025
10:36
Advanced Experimental Methods for Low-temperature Magnetotransport Measurement of Novel Materials
Published on: January 21, 2016
10.7K
Quantum theory of the nonlinear Hall effect
Z Z Du1,2, C M Wang1,2,3, Hai-Peng Sun1,2
1Shenzhen Institute for Quantum Science and Engineering and Department of Physics, Southern University of Science and Technology (SUSTech), Shenzhen, China.
Nature Communications
|August 20, 2021
Summary
We developed a quantum theory for the nonlinear Hall effect, revealing disorder
Area of Science:
- Quantum transport phenomena
- Condensed matter physics
- Topological physics
Background:
- The nonlinear Hall effect is an unconventional quantum transport phenomenon.
- It is sensitive to symmetry breaking but survives time-reversal symmetry.
- A complete quantum description, particularly including disorder effects, is lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To construct a comprehensive quantum theory of the nonlinear Hall effect.
- To investigate the role of disorder in this phenomenon.
- To explore its connection with Berry curvature and symmetry properties.
Main Methods:
- Utilized diagrammatic techniques and Feynman diagrams.
- Incorporated disorder effects into the quantum transport theory.
- Analyzed the nonlinear conductivity tensor and its symmetry properties.
Main Results:
- The quantum theory enhances nonlinear Hall conductivity while preserving its sign, compared to Berry curvature alone.
- Disorder effects play a crucial role in electronic transport.
- Predicted a pure disorder-induced nonlinear Hall effect in specific 2D and 3D point groups.
Conclusions:
- The developed quantum theory provides a full description of the nonlinear Hall effect.
- Disorder significantly influences the nonlinear Hall response.
- The findings open avenues for exploring topological physics beyond linear regimes.
Related Concept Videos
01:30The Hall Effect
2.9K
Edwin H. Hall, in the year 1879, devised an experiment that could be used to identify the polarity of the predominant charge carriers in a conducting material. From a historical perspective, this experiment was the first to demonstrate that the charge carriers in most metals are negative.
2.9K
02:32The de Broglie Wavelength
30.8K
In the macroscopic world, objects that are large enough to be seen by the naked eye follow the rules of classical physics. A billiard ball moving on a table will behave like a particle; it will continue traveling in a straight line unless it collides with another ball, or it is acted on by some other force, such as friction. The ball has a well-defined position and velocity or well-defined momentum, p = mv, which is defined by mass m and velocity v at any given moment. This is the typical...
30.8K
01:17Theory of Metallic Conduction
1.5K
The conduction of free electrons inside a conductor is best described by quantum mechanics. However, a classical model makes predictions close to the results of quantum mechanics. It is called the theory of metallic conduction.
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
In this theory, Newton's second law of motion is used to determine the acceleration of an electron in the presence of an applied electric field. Then, its velocity is expressed via this acceleration.
An electron moves through the crystal, containing positive ions,...
1.5K
01:17The Principle of Superposition and the Gravitational Field
1.7K
The principle of superposition applies to gravitational forces of objects that are sufficiently far apart. It states that the net gravitational force on a point object is the vector sum of the gravitational forces on it due to various objects. The principle helps calculate the force by listing the individual forces and then vectorially summing them up. However, it should be noted that the principle of superposition is not always apparent. In the presence of a second force, the first force could...
1.7K
04:08The Uncertainty Principle
29.1K
Werner Heisenberg considered the limits of how accurately one can measure properties of an electron or other microscopic particles. He determined that there is a fundamental limit to how accurately one can measure both a particle’s position and its momentum simultaneously. The more accurate the measurement of the momentum of a particle is known, the less accurate the position at that time is known and vice versa. This is what is now called the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. He...
29.1K
03:06The Pauli Exclusion Principle
56.4K
The arrangement of electrons in the orbitals of an atom is called its electron configuration. We describe an electron configuration with a symbol that contains three pieces of information:
56.4K