Gapped broken symmetry states in ABC trilayer graphene

TL;DR

This paper investigates the electronic states in ABC trilayer graphene, finding that gapped broken symmetry states are energetically favored over gapless states, with layer antiferromagnetic states being most stable.

Contribution

It provides a detailed comparison of gapped and gapless broken symmetry states in ABC trilayer graphene using a self-consistent Hartree-Fock approach with realistic Coulomb interactions.

Findings

Gapped states are energetically favored over gapless states.

Gapless nematic states are not metastable in ABC trilayer graphene.

Layer antiferromagnetic state is the most stable among gapped states.

Abstract

We use a self-consistent Hartree-Fock approximation with realistic Coulomb interactions for $\pi$-band electrons to explore the possibility of broken symmetry states in weakly disordered ABC stacked trilayer graphene. The competition between gapped and gapless broken symmetry states, and normal states is studied by comparing total energies. We find that gapped states are favored and that, unlike the bilayer case, gapless nematic broken symmetry states are not metastable. Among the gapped states the layer antiferromagnetic state is favored over anomalous and spin Hall states.