Annular wave packets at Dirac points and probability oscillation in graphene

TL;DR

This paper investigates the dynamics of wave packets at Dirac points in graphene, revealing annular ripple formations, oscillations, and magnetic confinement effects through numerical simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed numerical analysis of wave packet evolution at Dirac points, highlighting the effects of linear dispersion and magnetic fields on propagation and oscillation behaviors.

Findings

Wave packets form annular ripple-rings propagating at Fermi speed.

Oscillations occur between central peaks and ripple-rings due to interference.

Magnetic fields confine wave packets, causing persistent oscillations and shape changes.

Abstract

Wave packets in graphene whose central wave vector is at Dirac points are investigated by numerical calculations. Starting from an initial Gaussian function, these wave packets form into annular peaks that propagate to all directions like ripple-rings on water surface. At the beginning, electronic probability alternates between the central peak and the ripple-rings and transient oscillation occurs at the center. As time increases, the ripple-rings propagate at the fixed Fermi speed, and their widths remain unchanged. The axial symmetry of the energy dispersion leads to the circular symmetry of the wave packets. The fixed speed and widths, however, are attributed to the linearity of the energy dispersion. Interference between states that respectively belong to two branches of the energy dispersion leads to multiple ripple-rings and the probability-density oscillation. In a magnetic field, annular wave packets become confined and no longer propagate to infinity. If the initial Gaussian width differs greatly from the magnetic length, expanding and shrinking ripple-rings form and disappear alternatively in a limited spread, and the wave packet resumes the Gaussian form frequently. The probability thus oscillates persistently between the central peak and the ripple-rings. If the initial Gaussian width is close to the magnetic length, the wave packet retains the Gaussian form and its height and width oscillate with a period determined by the first Landau energy. The wave-packet evolution is determined jointly by the initial state and the magnetic field, through the electronic structure of graphene in a magnetic field.