Particle-hole Hall effect in graphenelike structures

TL;DR

This paper predicts that a strong in-plane electric field in monolayer graphene can generate particle-hole pairs that separate and produce a measurable Hall-like effect, unlike in bilayer graphene.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of a particle-hole Hall effect induced by electric fields in monolayer graphene, highlighting a novel charge separation mechanism.

Findings

Electric field induces observable particle-hole pair creation in monolayer graphene.

Separated pairs produce a measurable transverse dipole moment.

The effect is absent in bilayer graphene under similar conditions.

Abstract

We show that a moderately strong constant electric field in the plane of a monolayer graphene sheet can create particle-hole pairs at an observable rate. The pairs undergo zitterbewegung in opposite directions leading to a Hall-like separation of the charge carriers and a measurable transverse dipole moment is predicted which serves as the signature of the zitterbewegung. In contrast with the created pairs, the zero modes of the excitation induce a current transverse to the electric field but do not result in separated charges. For bilayer graphene a similar effect by the electric field is shown not to be possible.