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

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 fieldH, if _B H>E _B where _B is the Bohr magneton andE _Bis the energy band width of the electronic states. Possible realization of this effect in the atmosphere of neutron stars is pointed out.