Quantum electron liquid and its possible phase transition

Pure quantum electrons render intriguing correlated electronic phases by virtue of quantum fluctuations in addition to an exclusive electron-electron interaction. To realise such quantum electron systems, a key ingredient is dense electrons decoupled from other degrees of freedom. Here, we report the discovery of a pure quantum electron liquid, which spreads up to ~ 3 Å in the vacuum on the surface of electride crystal. An extremely high electron density and its scant hybridization with underneath atomic orbitals evidence quantum and pure nature of electrons, exhibiting polarized liquid phase demonstrated by spin-dependent measurement. Further, upon reducing the density, the dynamics of quantum electrons drastically changes to that of non-Fermi liquid along with an anomalous band deformation, manifesting a possible transition to a hexatic liquid crystalline phase. Our findings cultivate the frontier of quantum electron systems, which serve as an ideal platform for exploring the correlated electronic phases in a pure manner.