Understanding magnetic focusing in graphene $p$-$n$ junctions through quantum modeling

TL;DR

This paper develops a quantum model to analyze magnetic focusing in graphene p-n junctions, revealing interference effects and device behaviors consistent with recent experiments, advancing understanding of quantum transport phenomena.

Contribution

The paper introduces a quantum modeling approach that accurately reproduces experimental focusing phenomena and explains subtle features in graphene p-n junctions.

Findings

Quantum interference affects particle flow in graphene p-n junctions.

The model explains positive and negative focusing resonances.

Captures subtle experimental features like p-p transitions.

Abstract

We present a quantum model which provides enhanced understanding of recent transverse magnetic focusing experiments on graphene $p$-$n$ junctions. Spatially resolved flow maps of local particle current density show quantum interference and $p$-$n$ junction filtering effects which are crucial to explaining the device operation. The Landauer-B\"{u}ttiker formula is used alongside dephasing edge contacts to give exceptional agreement between simulated non-local resistance and the recent experiment by Chen $\textit{et al}$ ($\textit{Science}$, 2016). The origin of positive and negative focusing resonances and off resonance characteristics are explained in terms of quantum transmission functions. Our model also captures subtle features from experiment, such as the previously unexplained $p$-$p^-$ to $p$-$p^+$ transition and the second $p$-$n$ focusing resonance.