Edge scattering of electrons in graphene

TL;DR

This paper investigates how edge scattering influences electron conductance in graphene nanostructures, analyzing boundary conditions, size, and carrier density effects, especially in ballistic regimes where edge scattering dominates.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of boundary condition effects on edge scattering and conductance in graphene nanostructures, highlighting the role of edge scattering as a primary momentum relaxation mechanism.

Findings

Edge scattering significantly affects conductance in graphene nanostructures.

Boundary conditions alter the momentum relaxation time and conductance.

In ballistic regimes, edge scattering is the main momentum relaxation process.

Abstract

We discuss the contribution of edge scattering to the conductance of graphene nanoribbons and nanoflakes. Using different possible types of the boundary conditions for the electron wave function at the edge, we found dependences of the momentum relaxation time and conductance on the geometric sizes and on the carrier density. We also consider the case of ballistic nanoribbon and nanodisc, for which the edge scaterring is the main mechanism of momentum relaxation.