Absolute negative conductivity and zero-resistance states in two-dimensional electron systems: A plausible scenario

We present a model that provides a plausible explanation of the effect of zero-resistance and zero-conductance states in two-dimensional electron systems subjected to a magnetic field and irradiated with microwaves observed in a number of experiments and of the effect’s main features. The model is based on the concept of absolute negative conductivity associated with photon-assisted scattering of electrons on impurities. It is shown that the main features of the effect can be attributed to the interplay of different electron scattering mechanisms.