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Solid-state physics

Resistance is futile

Nature volume 442, pages 752–753 (2006)Cite this article

With the right combination of microwave radiation and magnetic field, two-dimensional electron systems conduct electricity with zero resistance. But is this zero really zero, or is it negative resistance in disguise?

Electrons confined to the interface between two semiconductors form what is known as a two-dimensional electron gas — essentially, a two-dimensional metal. Thanks to advances in semiconductor technology over the past few decades, two-dimensional electron gases of remarkably high purity can now be fabricated. These materials provide a playground for the exploration of fundamental physics, and have made possible the discovery of many important phenomena. Writing in Physical Review Letters, Zudov et al.1 describe a clever experiment designed to shed light, quite literally, on one such phenomenon: 'zero-resistance' states induced by the application of a magnetic field and microwave radiation.

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Figure 1: Unmasking negative resistance.

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  1. the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, 11794-3800, New York, USA

    Adam C. Durst

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  1. Adam C. Durst
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Durst, A. Resistance is futile. Nature 442, 752–753 (2006). https://doi.org/10.1038/442752a

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