Topological phase transition in a quasi-two-dimensional Coulomb gas.

Gama Goicochea, A; Nussinov, Z · Phys Rev E · 2023

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A system with an equal number of positive and negative charges confined in a box with a small but finite thickness is modeled as a function of temperature using mesoscale numerical simulations for various values of the charges. The Coulomb interaction is used in its three-dimensional form, U(r)∼1/r. A topological phase transition is found in this quasi-two-dimensional (2D) system. The translational order parameter, spatial correlation function, specific heat, and electric current show qualitatively different trends below and above a critical temperature. We find that a 2D logarithmic Coulomb interaction is not essential for the appearance of this transition. This work suggests new experimental tests of our predictions, as well as novel theoretical approaches to probe quasi-2D topological phase transitions.