Dynamic phase transitions in a two-dimensional electronic crystal and in a two-dimensional helium film

Abstract

The phase transitions induced by an electric field in the plane of the electron layer (dynamic transitions) in a two-dimensional (2D) electronic crystal over liquid helium are investigated experimentally. They are compared with the superfluid transition in thin helium films at nonlinear conditions (at high velocities of a substrate). A qualitative correspondence between the transitions is found. Because the melting of the two-dimensional crystal and the superfluid transition in the two-dimensional film belong to one type of phase transitions, the correspondence found indicates that the dynamic phase transition in the 2D electronic crystal can be considered as a nonlinear or dynamic melting.