Hydrodynamic approach to two-dimensional electron systems

TL;DR

This paper reviews recent theoretical and experimental advances in applying hydrodynamic models to two-dimensional electron systems like graphene, highlighting the derivation, predictions, and applications of electronic hydrodynamics.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of hydrodynamic theories for 2D electron systems, including derivations from kinetic theory and comparisons with experiments.

Findings

Hydrodynamic theory accurately predicts viscosity and conductivity in graphene.

Experimental evidence supports the hydrodynamic flow of electrons in ultra-pure materials.

Hydrodynamic models can be extended to novel 2D materials beyond graphene.

Abstract

The last few years have seen an explosion of interest in hydrodynamic effects in interacting electron systems in ultra-pure materials. One such material, graphene, is not only an excellent platform for the experimental realization of the hydrodynamic flow of electrons, but also allows for a controlled derivation of the hydrodynamic equations on the basis of kinetic theory. The resulting hydrodynamic theory of electronic transport in graphene yields quantitative predictions for experimentally relevant quantities, e.g. viscosity, electrical conductivity, etc. Here I review recent theoretical advances in the field, compare the hydrodynamic theory of charge carriers in graphene with relativistic hydrodynamics and recent experiments, and discuss applications of hydrodynamic approach to novel materials beyond graphene.