Induced fractional valley number in graphene with topological defects

TL;DR

This paper explores how topological defects in graphene can induce fractional valley numbers through pseudomagnetic fields, revealing new quantum phenomena and potential spin polarization effects.

Contribution

It introduces a novel mechanism for valley number fractionalization in graphene caused by topological defects modeled via pseudomagnetic fields.

Findings

Valley number fractionalization linked to pseudomagnetic flux

Imbalance of one-particle states at Dirac points

Potential for defect-induced spin polarization

Abstract

We report on the possibility of valley number fractionalization in graphene with a topological defect that is accounted for in Dirac equation by a pseudomagnetic field. The valley number fractionalization is attributable to an imbalance on the number of one particle states in one of the two Dirac points with respect to the other and it is related to the flux of the pseudomagnetic field. We also discuss the analog effect the topological defect might lead in the induced spin polarization of the charge carriers in graphene.