On the theory of magnetotransport in a periodically modulated two-dimensional electron gas

A semiclassical theory based on the Boltzmann transport equation for a two-dimensional electron gas modulated along one direction with weak electrostatic or magnetic modulations is proposed. It is shown that oscillations of the magnetoresistivity rho(parallel to) corresponding to the current driven along the modulation lines observed at moderately low magnetic fields, can be explained as classical geometric resonances reflecting the commensurability of the period of spatial modulations and the cyclotron radius of electrons. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.