Chirality is a fundamental property of electrons with the relativistic spectrum found in graphene and topological insulators. It plays a crucial role in relativistic phenomena, such as Klein tunneling, but it is difficult to visualize directly. Here, we report the direct observation and manipulation of chirality and pseudospin polarization in the tunneling of electrons between two almost perfectly aligned graphene crystals. We use a strong in-plane magnetic field as a tool to resolve the contributions of the chiral electronic states that have a phase difference between the two components of their vector wave function. Our experiments not only shed light on chirality, but also demonstrate a technique for preparing graphene's Dirac electrons in a particular quantum chiral state in a selected valley.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
---|---|
http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/science.aaf4621 | DOI Listing |
Phys Rev Lett
December 2024
Duke University, Department of Physics, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.
The emergence of a quantum spin liquid (QSL), a state of matter that can result when electron spins are highly correlated but do not become ordered, has been the subject of a considerable body of research in condensed matter physics [1,2]. Spin liquid states have been proposed as hosts for high-temperature superconductivity [3] and can host topological properties with potential applications in quantum information science [4]. The excitations of most quantum spin liquids are not conventional spin waves but rather quasiparticles known as spinons, whose existence is well established experimentally only in one-dimensional systems; the unambiguous experimental realization of QSL behavior in higher dimensions remains challenging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Chem Theory Comput
January 2025
Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima City, Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan.
Exploring electronic states in actinide compounds is a critical aspect of nuclear science. However, considering relativistic effects and electron correlation in theoretical calculations poses a complex challenge. To tackle this, we developed the CASPT2/RASPT2 program along with the DIRAC program, enabling calculations of electron correlation methods using multiconfigurational perturbation theory with various relativistic Hamiltonians.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhys Chem Chem Phys
January 2025
Institute of Applied Analysis and Numerical Simulation, University of Stuttgart, Pfaffenwaldring 57, Stuttgart, 70569, Germany.
In this study, we report a comprehensive calculation of the static dipole polarizabilities of group 12 elements using the finite-field approach combined with the relativistic coupled-cluster method, including single, double, and perturbative triple excitations. Relativistic effects are systematically investigated, including scalar-relativistic, spin-orbit coupling (SOC), and fully relativistic Dirac-Coulomb contributions. The final recommended polarizability values are 37.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFQuantum materials governed by emergent topological fermions have become a cornerstone of physics. Dirac fermions in graphene form the basis for moiré quantum matter and Dirac fermions in magnetic topological insulators enabled the discovery of the quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) effect. By contrast, there are few materials whose electromagnetic response is dominated by emergent Weyl fermions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Mater
January 2025
Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA.
Atomically thin van der Waals (vdW) films provide a material platform for the epitaxial growth of quantum heterostructures. However, unlike the remote epitaxial growth of three-dimensional bulk crystals, the growth of two-dimensional material heterostructures across atomic layers has been limited due to the weak vdW interaction. Here we report the double-sided epitaxy of vdW layered materials through atomic membranes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!