Theory of the Quantum Hall Smectic Phase I

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Abstract
We develop an effective low energy theory of the Quantum Hall (QH) Smectic or stripe phase of a two-dimensional electron gas in a large magnetic field in terms of its Goldstone modes and of the charge fluctuations on each stripe. This liquid crystal phase corresponds to a fixed point which is explicitly demonstrated to be perturbatively stable against both quantum fluctuations at long wavelengths {\it and} with respect to Wigner crystallization. This fixed point theory also allows an unambiguous reconstruction of the electron operator. We find that quantum fluctuations are so severe that the electron Green function decays faster than any power-law, although slower than exponentially, and that consequently there is a deep pseudo-gap in the quasiparticle spectrum. We also discuss the role of Coulomb interactions and find the low temperature thermodynamics of the QH smectic state.

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