Dynamical gap generation in graphene nanoribbons: An effective relativistic field theoretical model

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that a relativistic field theoretical model can explain the experimentally observed band gaps in graphene nanoribbons as a result of dynamical gap generation, linking the gap to the ribbon width and work function.

Contribution

It introduces an effective relativistic model that accounts for the dynamical generation of the band gap in graphene nanoribbons, aligning theoretical predictions with experimental data.

Findings

Graphene nanoribbon band gaps are dynamically generated.

The model matches experimental band gaps across various widths.

The band gap relates to the graphene work function.

Abstract

We show that the assumption of a nontrivial zero band gap for a graphene sheet within an effective relativistic field theoretical model description of interacting Dirac electrons on the surface of graphene describes the experimental band gap of graphene nanoribbons for a wide range of widths. The graphene band gap is dynamically generated, corresponding to a nontrivial gapless solution, found in the limit of an infinitely wide graphene ribbon. The nanoribbon band gap is determined by the experimental graphene work function.