Péter Rakyta

Monolayer MoS 2 : Trigonal warping, the Γ valley, and spin-orbit coupling effects

We use a combined ab initio calculations and k · p theory based approach to derive a low-energy effective Hamiltonian for monolayer MoS2 at the K point of the Brillouin zone. It captures the features which are present in first-principles calculations but not explained by the theory of Xiao et al. [Phys Rev Lett 108, 196802 (2012)], namely the trigonal warping of the valence and conduction bands, the electron-hole symmetry breaking, and the spin splitting of the conduction band. We also consider other points in the Brillouin zone which might be important for transport properties. Our findings lead to a more quantitative understanding of the properties of this material in the ballistic limit.

Trigonal warping and anisotropic band splitting in monolayer graphene due to Rashba spin-orbit coupling

We study the electronic band structure of monolayer graphene when Rashba spin-orbit coupling is present. We show that if the Rashba spin-orbit coupling is stronger than the intrinsic spin-orbit coupling, the low-energy bands undergo trigonal-warping deformation and that for energies smaller than the Lifshitz energy, the Fermi circle breaks up into separate parts. The effect is very similar to what happens in bilayer graphene at low energies. We discuss the possible experimental implications, such as threefold increase in the minimal conductivity for low electron densities, anisotropic, wave-number-dependent spin splitting of the bands, and the spin-polarization structure.

Theory of snake states in graphene

We study the dynamics of the electrons in a non-uniform magnetic field applied perpendicular to a graphene sheet in the low energy limit when the excitation states can be described by a Dirac type Hamiltonian. We show that as compared to the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) snake states in graphene exibit peculiar properties related to the underlying dynamics of the Dirac fermions. The current carried by snake states is locally uncompensated even if the Fermi energy lies between the first non-zero energy Landau levels of the conduction and valence bands. The nature of these states is studied by calculating the current density distribution. It is shown that besides the snake states in finite samples surface states also exist.

Bound states in inhomogeneous magnetic field in graphene: Semiclassical approach

We derive semiclassical quantization equations for graphene monolayer and bilayer systems where the excitations are confined by the applied inhomogeneous magnetic field. The importance of a semiclassical phase, a consequence of the spinor nature of the excitations, is pointed out. The semiclassical eigenenergies show good agreement with the results of quantum-mechanical calculations based on the Dirac equation of graphene and with numerical tight-binding calculations.

Effect of the band structure topology on the minimal conductivity for bilayer graphene with symmetry breaking

Using the Kubo formula we develop a general and simple expression for the minimal conductivity in systems described by a two by two Hamiltonian. As an application we derive an analytical expression for the minimal conductivity tensor of bilayer graphene as a function of a complex parameter

Exploring the graphene edges with coherent electron focusing

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Effect of sublattice asymmetry and spin-orbit interaction on out-of-plane spin polarization of photoelectrons

related to recently proposed symmetry breaking mechanisms resulting from electron-electron interaction or strain applied to the sample. The number of Dirac points changes with varying parameter w, this directly affect the minimal conductivity. Our analytic expression is confirmed using an independent calculation based on Landauer approach and we find remarkably good agreement between the two methods. We demonstrate that the minimal conductivity is very sensitive to the change of the parameter

Emergence of bound states in ballistic magnetotransport of graphene antidots

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Current-Phase Relation of Ballistic Graphene Josephson Junctions

and the orientation of the electrodes with respect to the sample. Our results show that the minimal conductivity is closely related to the topology of the low energy band structure.

Magnetic field oscillations of the critical current in long ballistic graphene Josephson junctions

We study theoretically the coherent electron focusing in graphene nanoribbons. Using semiclassical and numerical tight-binding calculations we show that armchair edges give rise to equidistant peaks in the focusing spectrum. In the case of zigzag edges at low magnetic fields one can also observe focusing peaks but with increasing magnetic field a more complex interference structure emerges in the spectrum. This difference in the spectra can be observed even if the zigzag edge undergoes structural reconstruction. Therefore transverse electron focusing can help in the identification and characterization of the edge structure of graphene samples.