Work

Superballistic Paradox in Electron Fluids: Relevance of Tomographic Transport

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Electron hydrodynamics encompasses the exotic fluidlike behavior of electrons in two-dimensional materials such as graphene. It accounts for superballistic conduction, also known as the Gurzhi effect, where increasing temperature reduces the electrical resistance. In analogy with conventional fluids, the Gurzhi effect is only expected in the hydrodynamic regime, with the decrease in the resistance occurring at intermediate temperatures. Nonetheless, experiments on electron fluids consistently show that superballistic conduction starts at close-to-zero temperature. To address this paradox, we study hydrodynamic flow, and we find that replacing the conventional dynamics with tomographic dynamics gives rise to an accurate low-temperature description. The latter strengthens superballistic conduction, with potential applications in low-dissipation devices, and explains its differences with the Molenkamp effect and conventional fluid dynamics. Our study reveals that the superballistic paradox is resolved by considering the peculiarities of electron-electron collisions at the Fermi surface.

Source: Physical Review Letters

DOI: 10.1103/xsjh-lq5h

Authors: Jorge Estrada-Álvarez, Elena Díaz, Francisco Domínguez-Adame

Institution: Universidad Complutense de Madrid

Language: English

Topic: Quantum and electron transport phenomena

Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

Field: Physics and Astronomy

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,750

Funders: Comunidad de Madrid, Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades, European Commission, Agencia Estatal de Investigación