Valentin Peschansky and puzzles of magnetotransport

Abstract

Starting from the 1950s, the Kharkov school of theoretical physics was one of the world leaders in the theory of metals. In particular, the research by V.G. Peschansky for many years was focused on studying the relationship between magnetic field dependence of resistivity components and the electron energy spectrum. V.G. Peschansky elaborated an elegant theory of magnetoresistance that took into account surface scattering of electrons. The physics of bulk 3D metals was almost exhausted by the end of 1970s and Peschansky extended his research to the low-dimensional electron systems. Through all his scientific life, V.G. Peschansky advocated the idea that magnetoresistance is a powerful tool that can be used to explore rich physics of electron systems. By now, numerous experimental and theoretical studies of magnetoresistance behavior in various systems, from simple to the most complex ones, confirm the fruitfulness of this idea.