Magnetic field induced metal-insulator transition in a one-dimensional chain: application to neutron star atmospheres

Abstract

It is shown that, in the non-interacting limit, a one-dimensional metallic system has a transition to an insulating phase, in presence of external magnetic field H, if mu(B)H is greater than E(B), where mu(B) is the Bohr magneton and E(B) is the energy band width of the electronic states. Possible realization of this effect in the atmosphere of neutron stars is pointed out.