Importance of electron-phonon coupling near the electron-liquid to Wigner-crystal transition in two-dimensional atomically thin materials

TL;DR

This paper investigates how electron-phonon interactions influence the phase transition from Fermi liquid to Wigner crystal in two-dimensional materials, highlighting their importance in atomically thin systems.

Contribution

It provides a dimensional analysis showing electron-phonon coupling is negligible in traditional semiconductors but significant in recent 2D materials.

Findings

Phonons are negligible in traditional semiconductor quantum wells.

Electron-phonon coupling likely affects phase transitions in 2D materials.

The study emphasizes the importance of phonons in atomically thin systems.

Abstract

We study the effect of electron-phonon coupling on the location of the Fermi Liquid to Wigner Crystal transition in the two-dimensional electron gas realized in various material platforms. Based on dimensional estimates of the relevant parameters, we conclude that (as conventionally assumed) phonons are negligible in traditional semiconductor quantum well systems, but likely play a significant role in various recently synthesized atomically thin two-dimensional materials.