Pseudo-magnetic catalysis of the time-reversal symmetry breaking in graphene

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that pseudo-magnetic fields in graphene can catalyze spontaneous time-reversal symmetry breaking in Dirac fermions, with potential experimental implications.

Contribution

It introduces the concept that pseudo-magnetic flux acts as a catalyst for symmetry breaking in graphene, a novel insight into the material's electronic properties.

Findings

Pseudo-magnetic flux induces symmetry breaking in graphene.

Time-reversal symmetry can be spontaneously broken by pseudo-magnetic fields.

Potential experimental effects on graphene's electronic behavior.

Abstract

Finite flux of the (time-reversal-symmetric) pseudo-magnetic field, which represents the effect of wrinkling of the graphene sheet for example, is shown to be a catalyst for spontaneous breaking of the time-reversal symmetry of Dirac fermions in two dimensions. Possible experimental consequences of this effect for graphene are discussed.