Zigzag Phase Transition in Quantum Wires

Abstract

We study the quantum phase transition of interacting electrons in quantum wires from a one-dimensional (1D) linear configuration to a quasi-1D zigzag arrangement using quantum Monte Carlo methods. As the density increases from its lowest values, first, the electrons form a linear Wigner crystal; then, the symmetry about the axis of the wire is broken as the electrons order in a quasi-1D zigzag phase; and, finally, the electrons form a disordered liquid-like phase. We show that the linear to zigzag phase transition is not destroyed by the strong quantum fluctuations present in narrow wires; it has characteristics which are qualitatively different from the classical transition.

5 pages, 5 figures. Published version: several clarifications, such as comment on finite size effects

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• Entanglement Generation Using Discrete Solitons in Coulomb Crystals
• Self-Organised Fractional Quantisation in a Hole Quantum Wire
• From classical to quantum criticality
• Structural phase transitions and topological defects in ion Coulomb crystals
• Ab-initio characterization of the quantum linear-zigzag transition using DMRG
• Degeneracy and Inversion of Band Structure for Wigner Crystals on a Toroidal Helix
• Fate of the one-dimensional Ising quantum critical point coupled to a gapless boson
• Engineering electron wavefunctions in asymmetrically confined quasi one-dimensional structures
• Ground-state electronic structure of quasi-one-dimensional wires in semiconductor heterostructures
• Topological quasi-one-dimensional state of interacting spinless electrons
• Partial spin polarization of conductance in vertical bi-layer nanowire with rectangular and smooth lateral confinement potential
• A quantum phase transition detected through one dimensional ballistic conductance
• Interacting holes in a gated WSe${}_2$ quantum channel: valley correlations and zigzag Wigner crystal
• Wigner crystallization at graphene edges
• Novel Differential Conductance Oscillations in Asymmetric Quantum Point Contacts