Researchers at NIST have discovered that charge carriers in graphene maintain their massless particle behavior over a much wider range of densities and energies than previously thought. This finding is significant for understanding the fundamental physics of graphene and its potential applications in future electronic devices.
Using a technique called “gate mapping scanning tunneling spectroscopy,” the researchers measured the magnetic quantum energy levels of the graphene charge carriers. They found that the carriers retain a linear relationship between energy and momentum across a broad range of energies and densities, from electrons to holes. This means that even when the density of carriers is lowered, the effect of each electron on others increases, resulting in higher velocities than expected.
These results are important for both the theoretical understanding of electron interactions in two-dimensional systems and the practical development of graphene-based devices. The findings will help guide the creation of more accurate models of electron behavior in graphene, which is crucial for optimizing its performance in electronic applications.
Keywords: graphene, charge carriers, scanning tunneling spectroscopy, massless particles, quantum energy levels
