The paper reviews theoretical predictions for the behavior of two-dimensional low-density electron systems at near absolute zero temperatures, including the formation of an electron (Wigner) crystal, crystal melting at a critical electron density, and transitions between crystal modifications in more complex (for example, two-layer) systems. The paper presents experimental results obtained from real two-dimensional systems in which the non-conducting (solid) state of the electronic system with indications of collective localization is actually realized. Experimental methods for detecting a quantum liquid-solid phase interface are discussed.

Keywords: two-dimensional electron system, Wigner crystal, electrons in semiconductors PACS: 68.65.Pq, 71.10.Hf, 73.20.Qt (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2017.01.038051 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2017/7/e/ 000412937700005 2-s2.0-85031823843 2017PhyU...60..731D Citation: Dolgopolov V T "Quantum melting of a two-dimensional Wigner crystal" Phys. Usp. 60 731–742 (2017) BibTexBibNote ® (generic)BibNote ® (RIS)MedlineRefWorks Received: 26th, September 2016, revised: 20th, December 2016, accepted: 17th, January 2017 Оригинал: Долгополов В Т «Квантовое плавление двумерного вигнеровского кристалла» УФН 187 785–797 (2017); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2017.01.038051