2008/06/02 by J. C. Martinez, Martinez, J. C., M. B. A. Jalil +3
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) #cond-mat.mes-hall
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0806.0222
15 pages
arxiv created 2008/06/02 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01
We show that a moderately strong constant electric field in the plane of a monolayer graphene sheet can create particle-hole pairs at an observable rate. The pairs undergo zitterbewegung in opposite directions leading to a Hall-like separation of the charge carriers and a measurable transverse dipole moment is predicted which serves as the signature of the zitterbewegung. In contrast with the created pairs, the zero modes of the excitation induce a current transverse to the electric field but do not result in separated charges. For bilayer graphene a similar effect by the electric field is shown not to be possible.