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Intertwined superfluid and density wave order in two-dimensional 4 He

Cornell Affiliated Author(s)

Author

Ján Nyéki
A. Phillis
A. Ho
D. Lee
P. Coleman
J. Parpia
B. Cowan
J. Saunders

Abstract

Superfluidity is a manifestation of the operation of the laws of quantum mechanics on a macroscopic scale. The conditions under which superfluidity becomes manifest have been extensively explored experimentally in both quantum liquids (liquid 4 He being the canonical example) and ultracold atomic gases, including as a function of dimensionality. Of particular interest is the hitherto unresolved question of whether a solid can be superfluid. Here we report the identification of a new state of quantum matter with intertwined superfluid and density wave order in a system of two-dimensional bosons subject to a triangular lattice potential. Using a torsional oscillator we have measured the superfluid response of the second atomic layer of 4 He adsorbed on the surface of graphite, over a wide temperature range down to 2 mK. Superfluidity is observed over a narrow range of film densities, emerging suddenly and subsequently collapsing towards a quantum critical point. The unusual temperature dependence of the superfluid density in the limit of zero temperature and the absence of a clear superfluid onset temperature are explained, self-consistently, by an ansatz for the excitation spectrum, reflecting density wave order, and a quasi-condensate wavefunction breaking both gauge and translational symmetry.

Date Published

Journal

Nature Physics

Volume

13

Issue

5

Number of Pages

455-459,

URL

https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85011632701&doi=10.1038%2fnphys4023&partnerID=40&md5=6fd44fe291a711632e05a56aa4ff8dd8

DOI

10.1038/nphys4023

Group (Lab)

Jeevak Parpia Group

Funding Source

1202991
EP/H048375/1

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