Complex quantum scattering and the breakdown of the quantum Hall effect

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Abstract
Quantum potential scattering from abrupt scatterers is studied nonperturbatively in the quantum Hall regime. Complex scattering dynamics including sharp resonances are observed for the first time in this regime. Inter-Landau-level tunneling is strongly enhanced by extended scatterers. The calculated threshold field is in agreement with breakdown experiments. An exact transfer-matrix method and a quasiclassical Wigner-function method are used to extract both amplitudes and phases of the scattering matrix.