Low lying spectral gaps induced by slowly varying magnetic fields (Q526854)

The paper addresses a model from quantum mechanics based on the two-dimensional Schrödinger equation with a spatially periodic potential, which generates the respective bandgap structure, and a stationary magnetic field, which slowly varies in the space around some positive value. The objective is to prove the existence, in the model's spectrum, of narrow spectral islands, separated by open spectral gaps (this structure is, roughly speaking, similar to the set of Landau levels in the presence of a uniform magnetic field). It is investigated how the size of the above-mentioned spectral features (islands and gaps) depends on the overall smallness and weak variation of the magnetic field. The proof of the results is presented in a rigorous mathematical form, which makes use of the analysis of the respective Hofstadter magnetic matrix.