Wigner crystal phases in bilayer graphene

TL;DR

This paper explores the possibility of Wigner crystal formation in bilayer graphene with an energy gap, revealing that such phases can exist and exhibit unique properties unlike in single-layer graphene.

Contribution

It demonstrates that Wigner crystals can form in bilayer graphene with an energy gap, challenging previous assumptions about single-layer graphene.

Findings

Wigner crystals can form in gapped bilayer graphene.

Different phases of Wigner crystals with unique properties may exist.

Formation is possible despite previous beliefs about single-layer graphene.

Abstract

It is generally believed that a Wigner Crystal in single layer graphene can not form because the magnitudes of the Coulomb interaction and the kinetic energy scale similarly with decreasing electron density. However, this scaling argument does not hold for the low energy states in bilayer graphene. We consider the formation of a Wigner Crystal in weakly doped bilayer graphene with an energy gap opened by a perpendicular electric field. We argue that in this system the formation of the Wigner Crystal is not only possible, but different phases of the crystal with very peculiar properties may exist here depending on the system parameters.