Topological Phase Transition in a Quasi Two Dimensional Coulomb Gas

TL;DR

This paper investigates a quasi two-dimensional Coulomb gas with finite thickness, revealing a topological phase transition characterized by distinct thermodynamic and correlation behaviors, independent of the 2D logarithmic Coulomb interaction.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of a topological phase transition in a quasi 2D Coulomb system using mesoscale simulations, challenging the necessity of 2D Coulomb interactions for such transitions.

Findings

Identification of a topological phase transition in quasi 2D Coulomb gas

Distinct thermodynamic and correlation behaviors across the transition

Independence of transition from 2D logarithmic Coulomb interaction

Abstract

A system with equal number of positive and negative charges confined in a box with a small but finite thickness is modeled as a function of temperature using mesoscale numerical simulations, for various values of the charges. The Coulomb interaction is used in its three-dimensional form, U(r) ~ 1/r. A topological phase transition is found in this quasi 2d system. The translational order parameter, spatial correlation function, specific heat, and electric current show qualitatively different trends below and above a critical temperature. We find that a 2d logarithmic Coulomb interaction is not essential for the appearance of this transition. This work suggests new experimental tests of our predictions, as well as novel theoretical approaches to probe quasi 2d topological phase transitions.