Landau levels

In quantum mechanics, the energies of cyclotron orbits of charged particles in a uniform magnetic field are quantized to discrete values, thus known as Landau levels. These levels are degenerate, with the number of electrons per level directly proportional to the strength of the applied magnetic field. It is named after the Soviet physicist Lev Landau.[1]

Landau quantization contributes towards magnetic susceptibility of metals, known as Landau diamagnetism. Under strong magnetic fields, Landau quantization leads to oscillations in electronic properties of materials as a function of the applied magnetic field known as the De Haas–Van Alphen and Shubnikov–de Haas effects.

Landau quantization is a key ingredient in explanation of the integer quantum Hall effect.

  1. ^ Landau, L. (1930). "Diamagnetismus der Metalle" [Diamagnetism of Metals]. Zeitschrift für Physik (in German). 64 (9–10). Springer Science and Business Media LLC: 629–637. Bibcode:1930ZPhy...64..629L. doi:10.1007/bf01397213. ISSN 1434-6001. S2CID 123206025.