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Finite-temperature Wigner solid and other phases of ripplonic polarons on a helium film

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Abstract

Electrons on liquid helium can form different phases depending on density, and temperature. Also the electron-ripplon coupling strength influences the phase diagram, through the formation of so-called “ripplonic polarons”, that change how electrons are localized, and that shifts the transition between the Wigner solid and the liquid phase. We use an all-coupling, finite-temperature variational method to study the formation of a ripplopolaron Wigner solid on a liquid helium film for different regimes of the electron-ripplon coupling strength. In addition to the three known phases of the ripplopolaron system (electron Wigner solid, polaron Wigner solid, and electron fluid), we define and identify a fourth distinct phase, the ripplopolaron liquid. We analyse the transitions between these four phases and calculate the corresponding phase diagrams. This reveals a reentrant melting of the electron solid as a function of temperature. The calculated regions of existence of the Wigner solid are in agreement with recent experimental data.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. TQC, Universiteit Antwerpen, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610, Antwerpen, Belgium

    Serghei N. Klimin, Jacques Tempere, Vyacheslav R. Misko & Michiel Wouters

  2. Lyman Laboratory of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA

    Jacques Tempere

  3. Departement Fysica, Universiteit Antwerpen, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020, Antwerpen, Belgium

    Vyacheslav R. Misko

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  1. Serghei N. Klimin
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  2. Jacques Tempere
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  4. Michiel Wouters
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Correspondence to Jacques Tempere or Vyacheslav R. Misko.

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Klimin, S., Tempere, J., Misko, V. et al. Finite-temperature Wigner solid and other phases of ripplonic polarons on a helium film. Eur. Phys. J. B 89, 172 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1140/epjb/e2016-70149-8

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