Theory of the quantum Hall smectic phase. I. Low-energy properties of the quantum Hall smectic fixed point

We develop an effective low-energy theory of the quantum Hall (QH) smectic or stripe phase of a two-dimensional electron gas in a large magnetic field in terms of its Goldstone modes and of the charge fluctuations on each stripe. This liquid-crystal phase corresponds to a fixed point that is explicitly demonstrated to be stable against quantum fluctuations at long wavelengths. This fixed-point theory also allows an unambiguous reconstruction of the electron operator. We find that quantum fluctuations are so severe that the electron Green function decays faster than any power law, although slower than exponentially, and that consequently there is a deep pseudo-gap in the quasiparticle spectrum. We discuss, but do not resolve, the stability of the quantum Hall smectic to crystallization. Finally, the role of Coulomb interactions and the low-temperature thermodynamics of the QH smectic state are analyzed.