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In this work, we theoretically study Wigner crystal (WC) transitions in various interacting two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) models, including both conventional 2DEG model and ``$n$-order" Dirac fermion models with energy-momentum dispersion $E_{\mathbf{k}} \sim k^n$, with $n$ being positive integer. A general ``$GW$+RPA" framework to treat single-particle spectra and ground-state energies in 2D systems has been developed. Within such a framework, we first calculate the single-particle excitation spectra of a conventional 2DEG system with $GW$ approximation for both Wigner-crystal state and Fermi-liquid (FL) state, in which the frequency dependent dielectric function is treated using a multiple-plasma-pole approach. Then, the correlation energy with random phase approximation (RPA) is further calculated based on the $GW$ single-particle spectra. By comparing the total energies of WC and FL states, our $GW$+RPA approach gives a critical Wigner-Seitz radius $r_s^*\sim 19.2$ for the WC transition in conventional 2DEG system. We then apply such $GW$+RPA method to single-flavor $n$-order Dirac fermion models, unveiling the unique single-particle excitation spectra in these models. We further find that charge fluctuations would de-stabilize the presumable WC states, including both topologically trivial and nontrivial WC states. Our method can be readily applied to other interacting 2D systems described by continuum models such as moir\'e superlattices., Comment: 5 pages + 4 figures in main text, 11 pages + 13 figures in Supplemental Material

The experimental discoveries of fractional quantum anomalous Hall effects under zero magnetic fields in both transition metal dichalcogenide and pentalayer graphene moir\'e superlattices have aroused significant research interest. In this work, we theoretically study the fractional quantum anomalous Hall states (also known as fractional Chern insulator states) in pentalayer graphene moir\'e superlattice. Starting from the highest energy scale ($\sim\!2\,$eV) of the continuum model, we first construct a renormalized low-energy model that applies to a lower cutoff $\sim\!0.15\,$eV using renormalization group approach. Then, we study the ground states of the renormalized low-energy model at filling 1 under Hartree-Fock approximation in the presence of tunable but self-consistently screened displacement field $D$ with several experimentally relevant background dielectric constant $\epsilon_r$. Two competing Hartree-Fock states are obtained at filling 1, which give rise to two types of topologically distinct isolated flat bands with Chern number 1 and 0, respectively. We continue to explore the interacting ground states of the two types of isolated flat bands at hole dopings of 1/3, 2/5, 3/5, and 2/3 (corresponding electron fillings of 2/3, 3/5, 2/5, and 1/3 with respect to charge neutrality). Setting $\epsilon_r=5$, our exact-diagonalization calculations suggest that the system stays in fractional Chern insulator (FCI) state at 2/3 electron filling when $0.9\,\textrm{V/nm}\leq\!D\!\leq 0.92\,\textrm{V/nm}$; while no robust FCI state is obtained at 1/3 electron filling. We have also obtained composite-fermion type FCI ground states at 3/5 electron filling within $0.9\,\textrm{V/nm}\leq\! D \!\leq\!0.95\,\textrm{V/nm}$ and $\epsilon_r=5$. These numerical results are quantitatively consistent with experimental observations., Comment: 12 pages + 6 figures + 1 table in main text, 21 pages + 12 figures in Supplementary Information. More comprehensive phase diagrams are provided

In this work, we study the synergistic correlated states in two distinct types of interacting electronic systems coupled by interlayer Coulomb interactions. We propose that this scenario can be realized in a type of Coulomb-coupled graphene-insulator heterostructures with gate tunable band alignment. We find that, by virtue of the interlayer Coulomb coupling between the interacting electrons in the two layers, electronic states that cannot be revealed in either individual layer would emerge in a cooperative and synergistic manner. Specifically, as a result of the band alignment, charge carriers can be transferred between graphene and the substrate under the control of gate voltages, which can yield a long-wavelength electronic crystal at the surface of the substrate. This electronic crystal exerts a superlattice Coulomb potential on the Dirac electrons in graphene, which generates subbands with reduced non-interacting Fermi velocity. As a result, $e$-$e$ Coulomb interactions within graphene would play a more important role, giving rise to a gapped Dirac state at the charge neutrality point, accompanied by interaction-enhanced Fermi velocity. Moreover, the superlattice potential can give rise to topologically nontrivial subband structures which are tunable by superlattice's constant and anisotropy. Reciprocally, the electronic crystal formed in the substrate can be substantially stabilized in such coupled bilayer heterostructure by virtue of the cooperative interlayer Coulomb coupling. We further perform high-throughput first principles calculations to identify a number of promising insulating materials as candidate substrates for graphene to demonstrate these effects., Comment: Main text: 14 pages with 5 figures and 1 table; Supplement info: 30 pages with 13 figures and 5 tables