Abstract

Two dimensional helium films provide simple model systems for the investigation of quantum phase transitions in two dimensions. Monolayer 3He absorbed on graphite, with various pre-platings, behaves as a two dimensional Mott-Hubbard system, complete with a density driven “metal-insulator” transition [1, 2]. In two dimensions the corrections to the temperature dependence of the heat capacity, beyond the term linear in T, are anomalous and attributed to quasi-1D scattering [3]. Bi-layer 3He films adsorbed on the surface of graphite show evidence of heavy fermion behaviour and quantum criticality [4, 5]. Here the metal insulator transition appears to arise from tuning both the bandwidth of the lower layer and the Kondo coupling between layers. A theoretical model in terms of a “Kondo breakdown selective Mott transition” has recently been suggested [6]. On the other hand 4He films adsorbed on graphite allow the study of the superfluid-insulator transition [7], related to the superfluid-Mott insulator transition observed in cold atoms [8]. In the present case the transition is between a Kosterlitz-Thouless 2D superfluid and a (possibly hole-doped) Mott insulator. Both “density driven” and “bandwidth driven” transitions are experimentally accessible. Here the superfluid density is being studied using torsional oscillator techniques; the possibility of a 2D supersolid phase will be discussed.

• In collaboration with: A Casey, M Neumann, J Nyeki, J Parpia, B Cowan.

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