WIGNER CRYSTALLIZATION IN SEMICONDUCTOR QUANTUM WIRES

We study the Wigner crystallization in semiconductor quantum wires wit hin the density-functional approach. As the density of electrons in qu asi-one-dimensional structures is lowered, we find that the system fav ors the crystalline phase as envisioned by Wigner. The dependence of t he critical density on the lateral width of the quantum wire is also i nvestigated. In a structure consisting of two parallel quantum wires, the Wigner transition to the solid phase is enhanced similarly to the bilayer systems. [S0163-1829(98)01039-X].