WIGNER CRYSTAL Meaning and
Definition
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A Wigner crystal refers to a state of matter that occurs when a collection of charged particles, such as electrons or ions, arrange themselves in a regular, ordered lattice structure due to strong repulsive interactions between them. This phenomenon was first proposed by physicist Eugene Wigner in 1934 and has since been observed in various systems, including electron systems in semiconductors, quantum dots, and even certain types of plasmas.
In a Wigner crystal, the particles arrange themselves into a well-defined, three-dimensional structure characterized by a low energy configuration. The crystalline order arises from the balance between the tendency of particles to minimize their potential energy by repelling each other and the constraints imposed by the confinement of the system. As a result, the particles become locked into fixed positions, forming a lattice reminiscent of the crystal lattice in a solid.
The formation of a Wigner crystal is a consequence of the strong correlation effects between the charged particles, which can overcome thermal fluctuations and other perturbations to stabilize the ordered structure. The regular spacing of the particles in a Wigner crystal leads to various unique physical properties, including a suppressed electrical conductivity and a distinctive response to external perturbations.
Understanding the behavior of Wigner crystals is of great interest in condensed matter physics as it provides insights into the fundamental nature of interacting quantum systems. Their study contributes towards elucidating the complex interplay between competing interactions, ordering phenomena, and emergent quantum states in condensed matter physics.
Common Misspellings for WIGNER CRYSTAL
- qigner crystal
- aigner crystal
- signer crystal
- eigner crystal
- 3igner crystal
- 2igner crystal
- wugner crystal
- wjgner crystal
- wkgner crystal
- wogner crystal
- w9gner crystal
- w8gner crystal
- wifner crystal
- wivner crystal
- wibner crystal
- wihner crystal
- wiyner crystal
- witner crystal
- wigber crystal
- wigmer crystal
Etymology of WIGNER CRYSTAL
The word "Wigner crystal" is named after the Hungarian-American physicist, Eugene Wigner. He was a Nobel laureate who made significant contributions to the field of solid-state physics and quantum mechanics during the 20th century.
In the context of the term "Wigner crystal", it refers to a specific type of crystal structure formed by electrons in a solid-state system. Wigner proposed the concept in 1934 to explain the behavior of electrons in a dense electron gas under low temperatures. The electrons in this system can exhibit a regular, periodic arrangement reminiscent of a crystal lattice.
As a tribute to Eugene Wigner's groundbreaking work in this field, the term "Wigner crystal" was coined to describe this unique phenomenon, and it has since become well-established in the scientific community.
