Band structure of ABC-stacked graphene trilayers

Fan Zhang, Bhagawan Sahu, Hongki Min, and A. H. MacDonald
Phys. Rev. B 82, 035409 – Published 9 July 2010

Abstract

The ABC-stacked N-layer-graphene family of two-dimensional electron systems is described at low energies by two remarkably flat bands with Bloch states that have strongly momentum-dependent phase differences between carbon π-orbital amplitudes on different layers and large associated momentum-space Berry phases. These properties are most easily understood using a simplified model with only nearest-neighbor interlayer hopping which leads to gapless semiconductor electronic structure and pN dispersion in both conduction and valence bands. We report on a study of the electronic band structures of trilayers which uses ab initio density-functional theory and kp theory to fit the parameters of a π-band tight-binding model. We find that when remote interlayer hopping is retained, the triple Dirac point of the simplified model is split into three single Dirac points located along the three KM directions. External potential differences between top and bottom layers are strongly screened by charge transfer within the trilayer but still open an energy gap at overall neutrality.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
2 More
  • Received 9 April 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.82.035409

©2010 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Fan Zhang1,*, Bhagawan Sahu2, Hongki Min3,4, and A. H. MacDonald1

  • 1Department of Physics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712, USA
  • 2Microelectronics Research Center, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78758, USA
  • 3Maryland NanoCenter, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742, USA
  • 4Center for Nanoscale Science and Technology, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899-6202, USA

  • *zhangfan@physics.utexas.edu

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 82, Iss. 3 — 15 July 2010

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review B

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×