Conductance quantization and snake states in graphene magnetic waveguides

TL;DR

This paper explores electron waveguides in graphene created by inhomogeneous magnetic fields, focusing on snake states that enable conductance quantization unaffected by impurities or irregularities.

Contribution

It introduces a magnetic field profile that produces spatially separated counter-propagating snake states, leading to robust conductance quantization in graphene waveguides.

Findings

Formation of spatially separated snake states in graphene

Conductance quantization insensitive to backscattering

Potential for robust quantum wire applications

Abstract

We consider electron waveguides (quantum wires) in graphene created by suitable inhomogeneous magnetic fields. The properties of uni-directional snake states are discussed. For a certain magnetic field profile, two spatially separated counter-propagating snake states are formed, leading to conductance quantization insensitive to backscattering by impurities or irregularities of the magnetic field.