Deformed Wigner crystal in a one-dimensional quantum dot

The spatial Fourier spectrum of the electron density distribution in a finite one-dimensional system and the distribution function of electrons over single-particle states are studied in detail to show that there are two universal features in their behavior, which characterize the electron ordering and the deformation of Wigner crystal by boundaries. The distribution function has a delta-like singularity at the Fermi momentum k(F). The Fourier spectrum of the density has a steplike form at the wave vector 2k(F), with the harmonics being absent or vanishing above this threshold. These features are found by calculations using exact diagonalization method. They are shown to be caused by Wigner ordering of electrons, affected by the boundaries. However, the common Luttinger liquid model with open boundaries fails to capture these features because it overestimates the deformation of the Wigner crystal. An improvement of the Luttinger liquid model is proposed, which allows one to describe the above features correctly. It is based on the corrected form of the density operator conserving the particle number.