Dislocations and torsion in graphene and related systems

TL;DR

This paper introduces a continuum geometric model linking dislocations to torsion in graphene, revealing how they act as gauge fields affecting electronic properties, with potential applications to metals.

Contribution

It presents a novel geometric formalism connecting dislocations and torsion to electronic behavior in graphene and related systems, using quantum field theory in curved space.

Findings

Dislocations couple as vector gauge fields in graphene.

Dislocations influence electronic properties similarly to curvature or strain.

The model extends to coupling dislocations with normal metals.

Abstract

A continuum model to study the influence of dislocations on the electronic properties of condensed matter systems is described and analyzed. The model is based on a geometrical formalism that associates a density of dislocations with the torsion tensor and uses the technique of quantum field theory in curved space. When applied to two-dimensional systems with Dirac points like graphene we find that dislocations couple in the form of vector gauge fields similar to these arising from curvature or elastic strain. We also describe the ways to couple dislocations to normal metals with a Fermi surface.