Giant oscillations in a triangular network of one-dimensional states in marginally twisted graphene

TL;DR

This study reveals giant quantum oscillations in a network of one-dimensional states in marginally twisted bilayer graphene, highlighting unique electronic transport phenomena at high temperatures and flat miniband formations.

Contribution

It demonstrates the existence of a triangular network of chiral 1D states in marginally twisted graphene and explores their transport properties, including giant Aharonov-Bohm oscillations.

Findings

Giant Aharonov-Bohm oscillations persist above 100 K.

Resistivity shows density-dependent oscillations with sign-changing Hall effect.

Flat minibands form within the 2D network of 1D states.

Abstract

The electronic properties of graphene superlattices have attracted intense interest that was further stimulated by the recent observation of novel many-body states at "magic" angles in twisted bilayer graphene (BLG). For very small ("marginal") twist angles of 0.1 deg, BLG has been shown to exhibit a strain-accompanied reconstruction that results in submicron-size triangular domains with the Bernal stacking. If the interlayer bias is applied to open an energy gap inside the domain regions making them insulating, marginally-twisted BLG is predicted to remain conductive due to a triangular network of chiral one-dimensional (1D) states hosted by domain boundaries. Here we study electron transport through this network and report giant Aharonov-Bohm oscillations persisting to temperatures above 100 K. At liquid helium temperatures, the network resistivity exhibits another kind of oscillations that appear as a function of carrier density and are accompanied by a sign-changing Hall effect. The latter are attributed to consecutive population of the flat minibands formed by the 2D network of 1D states inside the gap. Our work shows that marginally twisted BLG is markedly distinct from other 2D electronic systems, including BLG at larger twist angles, and offers a fascinating venue for further research.