12.

3 Integer Quantum Hall Effect 689

levels become visible only if the thermal smearing of the level occupation
is negligible. This condition is met for measurements done at T < 1K.
For systems in the quantum limit, it is useful to express the surface
density of electrons nsurf in units of the (Landau level) filling factor v,
defined by
H
nsurf = --Y v = nsu~27r12. (12.66)
40

For v = 1, the lowest Landau level is completely filled (for one spin
direction) and other states are empty.
We have solved the problem of the two-dimensional motion in crossed
magnetic and electric fields. The Hamiltonian is (12.24), and the spec-
trum is given by (12.34). The eigenstates are still of the same form
(12.36) as in the E = 0 case, only all states are uniformly shifted in the
y-direction according to (12.30). Recalling that the velocity operator is
(12.20), we find that the expectation of value of v, in a Landau state is
1 eH 1 eH
- ((6,)
(0,) = m - -(Y))
C =-
m (p, - 7y~) (12.67)

- cE
-
m H = vdrift

i.e., equal to the classical drift velocity (12.2), for all the states in all
the Landau levels". Thus all occupied states give the same contribution
-evdrift to the Hall current j , and the Hall conductivity is

(12.68)

The quantum-mechanical treatment of a free electron in magnetic field

reconfirmed the classical result (12.3). We will find that the inclusion
of disorder (or electron-electron interaction and disorder) is needed to
understand the emergence of plateaus.
However, our results help us to restate the problem in a way which
makes it clear in which direction the solution should be sought. It is
"It is interesting to observe that, in spite of their appearance of waves running in
the z-direction, the E = 0 Landau states do not carry a current. (v,) arises solely
from the E-induced shift of yo.