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The linear-zigzag structural transition in cold ion chains
S. Fishman, D. Podolsky, E. Shimshoni, P. Silvi, T. Calarco, S. Montangero, G. Morigi
103 - 114
10.3254/978-1-61499-526-5-103
Proceedings of the International School of Physics "Enrico Fermi"
Volume 189: Ion Traps for Tomorrow's Applications
Abstract

A chain of singly charged particles confined by a harmonic potential exhibits a structural transition to a zigzag configuration when the radial potential frequency is at a critical value, which depends on the particle number. This structural change is a phase transition of second order, whose order parameter is the ions' transverse displacement from the chain axis. The transition is driven by transverse, short-wavelength vibrational modes. At ultra-low temperatures the linear-zigzag instability is a quantum phase transition of the same universality class of Ising models.

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