We show that the negative electronic compressibility of two-dimensional electronic systems at sufficiently low density enables the generation of charge-density waves through the application of a uniform force field, provided no current is allowed to flow. The wavelength of the density oscillations is controlled by the magnitude of the (negative) screening length, and their amplitude is proportional to the applied force. Both are electrically tunable.

• Received 8 May 2017

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.96.075422