2007/10/31 by C. W. J. Beenakker
Physics and Astronomy · #cond-mat.mes-hall
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/revmodphys.80.1337
published as Rev.Mod.Phys. 80, 1337 (2008) · 20 pages, 28 figures; "Colloquium" for Reviews of Modern Physics
arxiv created 2008/01/29 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01
This is a colloquium-style introduction to two electronic processes in a carbon monolayer (graphene), each having an analogue in relativistic quantum mechanics. Both processes couple electron-like and hole-like states, through the action of either a superconducting pair potential or an electrostatic potential. The first process, Andreev reflection, is the electron-to-hole conversion at the interface with a superconductor. The second process, Klein tunneling, is the tunneling through a p-n junction. Existing and proposed experiments on Josephson junctions and bipolar junctions in graphene are discussed from a unified perspective. CONTENTS: I. INTRODUCTION II. BASIC PHYSICS OF GRAPHENE (Dirac equation; Time reversal symmetry; Boundary conditions; Pseudo-diffusive dynamics) III. ANDREEV REFLECTION (Electron-hole conversion; Retro-reflection vs. specular reflection; Dirac-Bogoliubov-de Gennes equation; Josephson junctions; Further reading) IV. KLEIN TUNNELING (Absence of backscattering; Bipolar junctions; Magnetic field effects; Further reading) V. ANALOGIES (Mapping between NS and p-n junction; Retro-reflection vs. negative refraction; Valley-isospin dependent quantum Hall effect; Pseudo-superconductivity)