Abstract

Inspired by the rich physics of twisted 2D bilayer moire systems, we study Coulomb interacting systems subjected to two overlapping finite ID lattice potentials of unequal periods through exact numerical diagonalization. Unmatching underlying lattice periods lead to a 1D bichromatic "moire" superlattice with a large unit cell and consequently a strongly flattened band, exponentially enhancing the effective dimensionless electron-electron interaction strength and manifesting clear signatures of enhanced Mott gaps at discrete fillings. An important nonperturbative finding is a remarkable fine-tuning effect of the precise lattice commensuration, where slight variations in the relative lattice periods may lead to a suppression of the correlated insulating phase, in qualitative agreement with the observed fragility of the correlated insulating phase in twisted bilayer graphene. Our predictions, which should be directly verifiable in bichromatic optical lattices, establish that the competition between interaction and incommensuration is a key element of the physics of moire superlattices.

Publication Details
Publication Type
Journal Article
Year of Publication
2021
Volume
126
DOI
10.1103/PhysRevLett.126.036803
Journal
Physical Review Letters
Contributors