title: Quantum depinning transition of quantum Hall stripes.
abstract: We examine the effect of disorder on the electromagnetic response of quantum Hall stripes using an effective elastic theory to describe their low-energy dynamics, and replicas and the Gaussian variational method to handle disorder effects. Within our model we demonstrate the existence of a depinning transition at a critical partial Landau level filling factor Deltanu(c). For Deltanu<Deltanu(c), the pinned state is realized in a replica symmetry breaking (RSB) solution, and the frequency-dependent conductivities both perpendicular and parallel to the stripes show resonant peaks. These peaks shift to zero frequency as Deltanu-->Deltanu(c). For Deltanu> or =Deltanu(c), we find a partial RSB solution in which there is free sliding only along the stripe direction. The transition is analogous to the Kosterlitz-Thouless phase transition.
authors.affiliation: Département de Physique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada J1K 2R1.
authors.forename: M-R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Fertig
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Côté
authors.forename: Hangmo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yi