# Wigner crystal diode

## TL;DR

This paper investigates how a Wigner crystal behaves in asymmetric periodic potentials, revealing a diode-like charge transport phase due to the Aubry transition, with implications for experiments involving cold ions, colloids, and electrons on helium.

## Contribution

It demonstrates the occurrence of the Aubry transition in asymmetric potentials and introduces the concept of a Wigner crystal diode phase, extending previous findings to new physical systems.

## Key findings

- Aubry transition occurs at a critical potential amplitude.
- The pinned phase exhibits diode-like charge transport.
- Potential for observing Wigner crystal diode in experiments with cold ions, colloids, and electrons on helium.

## Abstract

We study the transport properties of a Wigner crystal in one- and two-dimensional asymmetric periodic potential. We show that the Aubry transition takes place above a certain critical amplitude of potential with the sliding and pinned phase below and above the transition. Due to the asymmetry the Aubry pinned phase is characterized by the diode charge transport of the Wigner crystal. We argue that the recent experimental observations of Aubry transition with cold ions and colloidal monolayers can be extended to asymmetric potentials making possible to observe Wigner crystal diode with these physical systems and electrons on liquid helium.