Probing the onset of strong localization and electron-electron interactions with the presence of a direct insulator-quantum Hall transition

Abstract

We have performed low-temperature transport measurements on a disordered two-dimensional electron system (2DES). Features of the strong localization leading to the quantum Hall effect are observed after the 2DES undergoes a direct insulator-quantum Hall transition on increasing the perpendicular magnetic field. However, such a transition does not correspond to the onset of strong localization. The temperature dependences of the Hall resistivity and Hall conductivity reveal the importance of the electron-electron interaction effects for the observed transition in our study. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.