1,615 research outputs found
Wigner crystal diode
We study the transport properties of a Wigner crystal in one- and
two-dimensional asymmetric periodic potential. We show that the Aubry
transition takes place above a certain critical amplitude of potential with the
sliding and pinned phase below and above the transition. Due to the asymmetry
the Aubry pinned phase is characterized by the diode charge transport of the
Wigner crystal. We argue that the recent experimental observations of Aubry
transition with cold ions and colloidal monolayers can be extended to
asymmetric potentials making possible to observe Wigner crystal diode with
these physical systems and electrons on liquid helium.Comment: 11 pages, 19 figures, accepted to Phys Rev
- …