Work

Conventional group analysis of twisted bilayer graphene within the tight-binding framework

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: The symmetry of twisted bilayer graphene (tBG) has been extensively studied in the continuum model but somewhat overlooked in the tight-binding (TB) framework. In contrast to the continuum model, which requires operators for both sublattice and layer spaces, the TB framework relies solely on operators in real space. This paper begins by discussing the symmetries of the TB Hamiltonian and the single-valley TB Hamiltonian of tBG. Subsequently, the band structures with specific irreducible representations (irreps) are obtained by diagonalizing the irrep-dependent Hamiltonian constructed through projection operators. We also investigate the impact of symmetry on intervalley coupling and the influence of a non-zero mass term on the C 2 z T symmetry of the single-valley Hamiltonian. To understand the irrep change as the wavevector moves inside the Brillouin zone and the irrep change after considering the intervalley coupling or introducing a non-zero mass term at a fixed wavevector, we derive two kinds of compatibility relationships. The methodology presented here can be applied to other layered materials because the basis functions we employ are generic and unique to twisted bilayers.

Source: New Journal of Physics

DOI: 10.1088/1367-2630/ad8fc6

Authors: Guodong Yu, Menggai Jiao, Lanting Feng

Institutions: Northeast Normal University, Zhengzhou University, Changchun University of Technology

Language: English

Topic: Graphene research and applications

Subfield: Materials Chemistry

Field: Materials Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,485

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China