Dinesh Subramaniam

Wave-function mapping of graphene quantum dots with soft confinement.

Using low-temperature scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we map the local density of states of graphene quantum dots supported on Ir(111). Because of a band gap in the projected Ir band structure around the graphene K point, the electronic properties of the QDs are dominantly graphenelike. Indeed, we compare the results favorably with tight binding calculations on the honeycomb lattice based on parameters derived from density functional theory. We find that the interaction with the substrate near the edge of the island gradually opens a gap in the Dirac cone, which implies soft-wall confinement. Interestingly, this confinement results in highly symmetric wave functions. Further influences of the substrate are given by the known moiré potential and a 10% penetration of an Ir surface resonance into the graphene layer.

Electrical transport and low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy of microsoldered graphene

Using the recently developed technique of microsoldering, we perform systematic transport studies of the influence of polymethylmethacrylate on graphene revealing a doping effect with a n-type dopant density Δn of up to Δn=3.8×1012 cm−2 but negligible influence on mobility and hysteresis. Moreover, we show that microsoldered graphene is free of contamination and exhibits very similar intrinsic rippling as found for lithographically contacted flakes. Characterizing the microsoldered sample by scanning tunneling spectroscopy, we demonstrate a current induced closing of the phonon gap and a B-field induced double peak attributed to the 0 Landau level.

Absence of edge states in covalently bonded zigzag edges of graphene on Ir(111).

The zigzag edges of graphene on Ir(111) are studied by ab initio simulations and low-temperature scanning tunneling spectroscopy, providing information about their structural, electronic, and magnetic properties. No edge state is found to exist, which is explained in terms of the interplay between a strong geometrical relaxation at the edge and a hybridization of the d orbitals of Ir atoms with the graphene orbitals at the edge.

Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy of the phase change alloy Ge1Sb2Te4

Scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy have been employed to reveal the evolution of the band gap and the Fermi level as a function of the annealing temperature for Ge1Sb2Te4, a promising material for phase change memory applications. The band gap decreases continuously from 0.65 eV in the amorphous phase via 0.3 eV in the metastable crystalline phase to zero gap in the stable crystalline phase. The Fermi level moves from the center of the gap in the amorphous phase close to the valence band within the crystalline phases. Moreover, the metastable phase has been imaged with atomic resolution, presumably showing the Te lattice at negative sample bias and the Ge/Sb/vacancy lattice at positive bias.

Tuning the Pseudospin Polarization of Graphene by a Pseudomagnetic Field

One of the intriguing characteristics of honeycomb lattices is the appearance of a pseudomagnetic field as a result of mechanical deformation. In the case of graphene, the Landau quantization resulting from this pseudomagnetic field has been measured using scanning tunneling microscopy. Here we show that a signature of the pseudomagnetic field is a local sublattice symmetry breaking observable as a redistribution of the local density of states. This can be interpreted as a polarization of graphenes pseudospin due to a strain induced pseudomagnetic field, in analogy to the alignment of a real spin in a magnetic field. We reveal this sublattice symmetry breaking by tunably straining graphene using the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope. The tip locally lifts the graphene membrane from a SiO2 support, as visible by an increased slope of the I(z) curves. The amount of lifting is consistent with molecular dynamics calculations, which reveal a deformed graphene area under the tip in the shape of a Gaussian. The pseudomagnetic field induced by the deformation becomes visible as a sublattice symmetry breaking which scales with the lifting height of the strained deformation and therefore with the pseudomagnetic field strength. Its magnitude is quantitatively reproduced by analytic and tight-binding models, revealing fields of 1000 T. These results might be the starting point for an effective THz valley filter, as a basic element of valleytronics.

Diffractive-wave guiding of surface electrons on Au(111) by the herringbone reconstruction potential

The surface potential of the herringbone reconstruction on Au(111) is known to guide surfacestate electrons along the potential channels. Surprisingly, we find by scanning tunneling spectroscopy that hot electrons with kinetic energies twenty times larger than the potential amplitude (38 meV) are still guided. The efficiency even increases with kinetic energy, which is reproduced by a tight binding calculation taking the known reconstruction potential and strain into account. The guiding is explained by diffraction at the inhomogeneous electrostatic potential and strain distribution provided by the reconstruction.

Correction to Tuning the Pseudospin Polarization of Graphene by a Pseudomagnetic Field

T following NSF grant number should be added to the Acknowledgment: DMR-1508325 (D.F., D.Z., and N.S.). With this, the correct Acknowledgment section should read: We acknowledge discussions with M. I. Katsnelson, A. Bernevig, M. Kra ̈mer, W. Bernreuther, F. Libisch, C. Stampfer,and C. Wiebusch, assistance at the STM measurements and sample preparation by C. Pauly, C. Saunus, S. Hattendorf, V. Geringer. We acknowledge financial support by the Graphene Flagship (Contract No. NECT-ICT-604391) and the German Research Foundation via Li 1050/2-2 (A.G., P.N.I., M.P., M.L. and M.M.); DFG SPP 1459 and the A. v H. Foundation (M.S., S.V.K.); CNPq No.150222/2014-9 (D.F.); NSF No. DMR-1108285 (D.F., R.C-B., D.Z., and N.S.) and DMR-1508325 (D.F., D.Z., and N.S.); PRODEP (R.C.B). FNR Luxembourg INTER/ANR/13/20/NANOTMD (L.W).