Evidence of Zero-Field Wigner Solids in Ultrathin Films of Cadmium Arsenide

Abstract

The quantum Wigner crystal is a many-body state where Coulombic repulsion quenches the kinetic energy of electrons, causing them to crystallize into a lattice. Experimental realization of a quantum Wigner crystal at zero magnetic field has been a long-sought goal. Here, we report on the experimental evidence of a Wigner solid in ultra-thin films of cadmium arsenide (Cd3⁢As2) at zero magnetic field. We show that a finite bias depins the domains and produces an unusually sharp-threshold current-voltage behavior. Hysteresis and voltage fluctuations point to domain motion across the pinning potential and disappear at finite temperature as thermal fluctuations overcome the potential. The application of a small magnetic field destroys the Wigner solid, pointing to an unconventional origin. We use Landau-level spectroscopy to show that the formation of the Wigner solid is closely connected to a topological transition as the film thickness is reduced.