Anisotropic signatures of electron hydrodynamics

Electron hydrodynamics refers to the transport regime where electrons collectively behave like a fluid. Its realization requires pure materials, some of which, such as bilayer graphene or PdCoO_{2}, are anisotropic so that different in-plane transport directions can be defined. Collective electron f...

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Main Authors: Jorge Estrada-Álvarez, Francisco Domínguez-Adame, Elena Díaz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: American Physical Society 2025-01-01
Series:Physical Review Research
Online Access:http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.013087
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author Jorge Estrada-Álvarez
Francisco Domínguez-Adame
Elena Díaz
author_facet Jorge Estrada-Álvarez
Francisco Domínguez-Adame
Elena Díaz
author_sort Jorge Estrada-Álvarez
collection DOAJ
description Electron hydrodynamics refers to the transport regime where electrons collectively behave like a fluid. Its realization requires pure materials, some of which, such as bilayer graphene or PdCoO_{2}, are anisotropic so that different in-plane transport directions can be defined. Collective electron flow also benefits from geometrically engineered devices because it is highly dependent on the nonuniformity of the electron flow. Here we analyze carrier transport in anisotropic materials where remarkable effects emerge after the proper directional design of the device. Simulations based on the Boltzmann transport equation demonstrate that electrical properties are clearly different when the device is set in the easy or the hard transport directions, namely, when the transport channel is aligned or not aligned to the group velocity at the Fermi level, respectively. Most importantly, the standard signatures of viscous electron flow, such as Poiseuille flow, superballistic conduction, and the formation of whirlpools, are enhanced when the anisotropic device operates in the hard transport directions. As a result, we demonstrate that electron hydrodynamics leads to a different route for efficient charge transport in the hard in-plane transport directions.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2643-1564
language English
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publisher American Physical Society
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spelling doaj-art-04e536a1e8b247778dede52131b9a8202025-01-23T15:01:26ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642025-01-017101308710.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.013087Anisotropic signatures of electron hydrodynamicsJorge Estrada-ÁlvarezFrancisco Domínguez-AdameElena DíazElectron hydrodynamics refers to the transport regime where electrons collectively behave like a fluid. Its realization requires pure materials, some of which, such as bilayer graphene or PdCoO_{2}, are anisotropic so that different in-plane transport directions can be defined. Collective electron flow also benefits from geometrically engineered devices because it is highly dependent on the nonuniformity of the electron flow. Here we analyze carrier transport in anisotropic materials where remarkable effects emerge after the proper directional design of the device. Simulations based on the Boltzmann transport equation demonstrate that electrical properties are clearly different when the device is set in the easy or the hard transport directions, namely, when the transport channel is aligned or not aligned to the group velocity at the Fermi level, respectively. Most importantly, the standard signatures of viscous electron flow, such as Poiseuille flow, superballistic conduction, and the formation of whirlpools, are enhanced when the anisotropic device operates in the hard transport directions. As a result, we demonstrate that electron hydrodynamics leads to a different route for efficient charge transport in the hard in-plane transport directions.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.013087
spellingShingle Jorge Estrada-Álvarez
Francisco Domínguez-Adame
Elena Díaz
Anisotropic signatures of electron hydrodynamics
Physical Review Research
title Anisotropic signatures of electron hydrodynamics
title_full Anisotropic signatures of electron hydrodynamics
title_fullStr Anisotropic signatures of electron hydrodynamics
title_full_unstemmed Anisotropic signatures of electron hydrodynamics
title_short Anisotropic signatures of electron hydrodynamics
title_sort anisotropic signatures of electron hydrodynamics
url http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.013087
work_keys_str_mv AT jorgeestradaalvarez anisotropicsignaturesofelectronhydrodynamics
AT franciscodominguezadame anisotropicsignaturesofelectronhydrodynamics
AT elenadiaz anisotropicsignaturesofelectronhydrodynamics