Gauge fields in graphene

TL;DR

This paper explores the unique quantum field theory aspects of graphene, highlighting its role as a bridge between condensed matter physics and high-energy physics through its massless Dirac fermions and lattice structure.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive analysis connecting graphene's physical properties with concepts from elasticity, topology, and cosmology, combining intuitive and formal approaches.

Findings

Graphene's quasiparticles behave as massless 2D Dirac fermions.

The lattice structure enables studies linking condensed matter with cosmology.

The paper offers a pedagogical and rigorous perspective on these connections.

Abstract

The physics of graphene is acting as a bridge between quantum field theory and condensed matter physics due to the special quality of the graphene quasiparticles behaving as massless two dimensional Dirac fermions. Moreover, the particular structure of the 2D crystal lattice sets the arena to study and unify concepts from elasticity, topology and cosmology. In this paper we analyze these connections combining a pedagogical, intuitive approach with a more rigorous formalism when required.