Pseudo-spin order of Wigner crystals in multi-valley electron gases

Vladimir Calvera, Steven A. Kivelson, Erez Berg

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

We study multi-valley electron gases in the low density (rs ≫ 1) limit. Here the ground-state is always a Wigner crystal (WC), with additional pseudo-spin order where the pseudo-spins are related to valley occupancies. Depending on the symmetries of the host semiconductor and the values of the parameters such as the anisotropy of the effective mass tensors, we find a striped or chiral pseudo-spin antiferromagnet, or a time-reversal symmetry breaking orbital loop-current ordered pseudo-spin ferromagnet. Our theory applies to the recently-discovered WC states in AlAs and in mono and bilayer transition metal dichalcogenides. We identify a set of interesting electronic liquid crystalline phases that could arise by continuous quantum melting of such WCs.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)679-700
Number of pages22
JournalLow Temperature Physics
Volume49
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jun 2023

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Pseudo-spin order of Wigner crystals in multi-valley electron gases'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this