“Extremum Loop” Model for the Valence-Band Spectrum of a HgTe/HgCdTe Quantum Well with an Inverted Band Structure in the Semimetallic Phase

Abstract

The effective mass and spectrum of Landau levels are calculated for the valence band of a HgTe/HgCdTe quantum well with an inverted band structure in the quasi-classical “extremum loop” model. The Landau-level fan of the valence band in the semimetallic phase starts at B = 0 from the energy corresponding to that of the lateral maxima of this band and is overlapped with the Landau-level fan of the conduction band.