Phase-space representation of Landau and electron coherent states for uniaxially strained graphene

TL;DR

This paper explores how uniaxial strain affects the phase-space Wigner function of electrons in graphene under magnetic fields, revealing strain-dependent modifications and the emergence of electron coherent states with potential quantum applications.

Contribution

It introduces a phase-space analysis of electron states in strained graphene, highlighting strain-induced changes in the Wigner function and the formation of electron coherent states.

Findings

Strain along zigzag and armchair directions alters the Wigner function shape.

Strain influences the creation and evolution of electron coherent states.

Time evolution shows fluctuations between classical and quantum behaviors.

Abstract

Recent experimental advances in the reconstruction of the Wigner function (WF) for electronic systems have led us to consider the possibility of employing this theoretical tool in the analysis of electron dynamics of uniaxially strained graphene. In this paper, we study the effect of strain on the WF of electrons in graphene under the interaction of a uniform magnetic field. This mechanical deformation modifies drastically the shape of the Wigner function of Landau and coherent states. The WF has a different behavior straining the material along the zigzag direction in comparison with the armchair one and favors the creation of electron coherent states. The time evolution of the WF for electron coherent states shows fluctuations between classical and quantum behavior around a closed path as time increases. The phase-space representation shows more clearly the effect of nonequidistant relative Landau levels in the time evolution of electron coherent states compared with other approaches. Our findings may be useful in establishing protocols for the realization of electron coherent states in graphene as well as a bridge between condensed matter and quantum optics.