Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation
  • Editors' Suggestion

Generalized Wigner crystal states on square lattices

Zhan-Qin Tong1, Da Wang1,2,*, Bin Cheng3, and Feng Miao1,4,†

  • 1National Laboratory of Solid State Microstructures & Department of Physics, and Collaborative Innovation Center of Advanced Microstructures, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
  • 2Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Quantum Information Science and Technology, Nanjing University, China
  • 3Institute of Interdisciplinary Physical Sciences, School of Science, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210093, China
  • 4Institute of Brain-Inspired Intelligence, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China

  • *Contact author: dawang@nju.edu.cn
  • †Contact author: miao@nju.edu.cn

Phys. Rev. B 112, 195113 – Published 12 November, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/9737-qhm5

Abstract

Inspired by observations of generalized Wigner crystal states in moiré materials, we systematically investigate charge orderings of electrons on a square lattice with long-range interactions V(r)=Ur−α. Using simulated annealing Monte Carlo simulations in the classical limit without kinetic energy, we obtain the generalized Wigner crystal states for almost all rational fillings ν=pq (q≤20) and different α. For large α, we find the ground states can be obtained by the so-called Farey construction method by compositing different fundamental stripes with 1n-filling (except 17, 113, 117, 119, ...), largely consistent with the greedy lattice algorithm for fast-decay interactions. For small α, we further identify the 38-filling as a new fundamental state such that the states for 13<ν<38 can be constructed by the Farey construction method. For 38<ν<12, a dual lattice subtraction applies: removing (1−2ν)-filling states from the half-filled checkerboard state. Further incorporating kinetic energy via self-consistent mean-field calculations shows that most of these Wigner crystal states are stable against quantum fluctuations until melting. Our work establishes a complete classical-to-quantum framework to understand the generalized Wigner crystals on the square lattice, which can be generalized to other underlying lattices.

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Authorization Required

We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

References (Subscription Required)

Outline

Information

Sign In to Your Journals Account

Filter

Filter

Article Lookup

Enter a citation