Crystallization of the transdimensional electron liquid

Abstract

Wigner crystallization of free electrons at room temperature is explored for a new class of metallic ultrathin (transdimensional) materials whose properties can be controlled by their thickness. Our calculations of the critical electron density, temperature and the melting curve show that by reducing the material thickness one can Wigner-crystallize free electrons at room temperature to get them pinned onto a two-dimensional triangular lattice of a supersolid inside of the crystalline material. Such a solid melts and freezes reversibly with increase and decrease of electron doping or temperature, whereby its resistivity behaves opposite to the free electron gas model predictions.