Transition from a one-dimensional to a quasi-one-dimensional state in interacting quantum wires

Abstract

Upon increasing the electron density in a quantum wire, the one-dimensional electron system undergoes a transition to a quasi-one-dimensional state. In the absence of interactions between electrons, this corresponds to filling up the second subband of transverse quantization, and there are two gapless excitation modes above the transition. On the other hand, strongly interacting one-dimensional electrons form a Wigner crystal, and the transition corresponds to it splitting into two chains (zigzag crystal). The two chains are locked, so their relative motion is gapped, and only one gapless mode remains. We study the evolution of the system as the interaction strength changes, and show that only one gapless mode exists near the transition at any interaction strength.