Bilayer graphene Origami: curvature-induced p-n junctions

TL;DR

This paper explores how surface curvature in bilayer graphene can induce p-n junctions by creating local potential variations, offering a new method to control electronic properties in 2D materials.

Contribution

It demonstrates that curvature-induced geometric potentials can generate p- and n-type regions in bilayer graphene, a novel approach for electronic property manipulation.

Findings

Curvature creates local attractive potentials in bilayer graphene.

Surface geometry can suppress Fermi energy to induce p-n regions.

Curvature-based control offers a new avenue for electronic device design.

Abstract

A massive quantum particle on a two-dimensional curved surface experiences a surface-geometry induced attractive potential that is characterized by the radii of curvature at a given point. With bilayer graphene sheets and carbon nano-ribbons in mind, we obtain the geometric potential V_G for several surface shapes. Under appropriate conditions that we discuss in detail, this potential suppresses the local Fermi energy. Therefore, we argue that in zero band-gap materials with a quadratic band structure, it will create p- and n-type regions. We discuss the consequences of this result, and suggest that surface curvature can provide a novel avenue to create p-n junctions and, in general, to control local electronic properties in bilayer graphene sheets.