Tunable order for helically confined charges

We explore the formation of order for a system of long-range interacting particles on helices. The repulsive Coulomb interaction of equally charged particles acquires an oscillatory distance dependence when the particles are confined to a helix. This can lead to bound states and in particular to a plethora of distorted equilibrium configurations. Here we investigate the equilibria on a toroidal helix and report on a structural transition in the presence of an external electric field. While for zero field an amorphous-like particle ordering is observed the presence of a strong field leads to a crystalline order of the particles on the helix. The field allows to continuously tune between these distinct configuratons. Different system sizes are explored and relevant observables are analyzed.