Quantized Hall effect in the field-induced density-wave phases of low-dimensionality conductors

Abstract

A quasi two-dimensional open Fermi surface with perfect nesting in the third direction is unstable in a magnetic field, versus the formation of density wave phases with quantized wave vectors. We prove that, within the same theoretical model, the Hall conductivity is exactly quantized at zero temperature in each field-induced phase. Application to quasi one-dimensional metals, such as the Bechgaard salts, is discussed.