Third edge for a graphene nanoribbon: A tight-binding model calculation

TL;DR

This paper models how a linear defect in a graphene nanoribbon acts as a third edge, significantly altering its electronic and conductance properties, and enabling new conduction pathways for nanoscale devices.

Contribution

It introduces a tight-binding model calculation showing that a linear defect creates a third effective edge with metallic behavior in graphene nanoribbons.

Findings

Defect introduces new conductance quantization values

Defect acts as a metallic third edge

Creates new conduction pathways

Abstract

The electronic and transport properties of an extended linear defect embedded in a zigzag nanoribbon of realistic width are studied, within a tight binding model approach. Our results suggest that such defect profoundly modify the properties of the nanoribbon, introducing new conductance quantization values and modifying the conductance quantization thresholds. The linear defect along the nanoribbon behaves as an effective third edge of the system, which shows a metallic behavior, giving rise to new conduction pathways that could be used in nanoscale circuitry as a quantum wire.