Structural transition in a two-dimensional Wigner crystal interacting with an elastic medium

Abstract

We have investigated a two-dimensional Wigner crystal whose electrons interact strongly with an elastic medium. We show that an external magnetic field exceeding a certain critical value and perpendicular to the crystal plane causes a structural transition in this system. Our calculation employs the simplest version of the self-consistent field method. We obtain the dependence of the critical magnetic field on the system characteristics and derive an expression from the energy gained as a result of the spontaneous breakdown of symmetry. The critical magnetic field is of the order 105–106 Oe in systems expected to exhibit the effect.

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DOI

10.1063/10.0031731

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