Bistable transport properties of a quasi-one-dimensional Wigner solid on liquid helium under continuous driving

Abstract

We investigate low-frequency fluctuations in the transport characteristics of a quasi-1D Wigner solid (WS) moving along a liquid helium substrate in response to a sinusoidal driving voltage. The fluctuations occur between distinct transport modes in which the decoupling of the WS from ripplonic polarons (or 'dimple lattice', DL) formed on the helium surface does, or does not, occur during each ac cycle. We demonstrate that a Gaussian-like distribution in the decoupling threshold force gives rise to this bistability, as the low-frequency switching occurs when the probability of decoupling during each ac cycle is small but finite. We attribute the distribution in the decoupling threshold force to the range of structural configurations allowed for the quasi-1D electron lattice, which influences the strength of the WS-DL coupling. Hence, the switching rate between the ac transport modes is extremely sensitive to the microscopic properties of the electron solid.

Thermoelectric properties of Wigner crystal in two-dimensional periodic potential

“…We think that the proposed investigations of themoelectric properties of Wigner crystal in 2D periodic lattice are well accessible for experiments with low temperature electrons on a surface of liquid helium in the regimes similar to those discussed in [21,22]. Indeed, for a typical lattice period = 1µm the potential amplitude K = 0.1 corresponds to V A = Ke 2 /( /2pi) ≈ 10K (Kelvin) that can be reached at rather weak potential modulation in space.…”

“…However, at present it seems rather difficult to extend cold ions experiments to 2D case. Thus we expect that the most promising experimental studies of thermoelectricity of Wigner crystal in 2D periodic potential should be the extension of experimental setups with electrons on liquid helium reported in [21,22]. It is also possible that other physical systems like two-dimensional colloidal monolayers, where the observation of Aubry transition has been reported recently [28], can open complementary possibilities for experimental modeling of thermoelectricity.…”

“…As possible experimental systems with a Wigner crystal in a periodic potential we point to electrons on liquid helium [2]. The experimental investigations of such systems have been already started with electrons on liquid helium with a quasi-1d channel [21] and with a periodic 1D or 2D potential [22]. Another physical system is represented by cold ions in a periodic 1D potential proposed in [4].…”

Properties of phonon modes of an ion-trap quantum computer in the Aubry phase

“…Finally, we note that the Hamiltonian (1) can be also realized with electrons on a surface of liquid helium [41]. The experimental progress in a possible realization of such a system is reported in [42,43]. The efforts are also in progress [44] to realize a quantum computer with electrons on liquid helium as proposed in [45].…”

Single Phonon Detection for Dark Matter via Quantum Evaporation and Sensing of $^3$Helium

“…Using standard CMOS processing electrode structures can be fabricated with high precision over large areas. Channel structures of this variety have been used to demonstrate a range of physics and devices, including CCDs with essentially perfect charge-transfer efficiency [30], stick-slip motion of a quasi-1D Wigner crystal [32], re-entrant melting of a quasi-1D Wigner crystal [33], the isolation of individual [34] and pairs of electrons [31], and electron transport controlled by ripplonic polarons [35]. The channels in Fig.…”