Electron Gas in Superstrong Magnetic Fields: Wigner Transition

Abstract

It is suggested that in extreme magnetic fields ($H>{10}^{12}$ G) a high-density electron gas (in a uniform positive background) undergoes a transition to an ordered structure. This corresponds to the "Wigner" transition of a low-density gas in the absence of a field. It is proposed that the ordered structure is a two-dimensional hexagonal lattice of "charged rods." The lattice spacing is evaluated for densities of astrophysical interest relevant to white dwarfs and pulsars.