Enhancement of Wigner crystallization in multiple-quantum-well structures

Abstract

We show that the density for Wigner crystallization to occur for the two-dimensional electron liquid in zero magnetic field can be increased in suitable multiple-quantum-well structures. Data from Monte Carlo calculations are used to determine the properties of each layer in isolation, and the layers interact through Coulomb forces. With this mechanism the maximum solidification density can be raised by as much as a factor of 3. At higher densities, charge-density-wave ground states can occur.