Deconfined fractional electric charges in graphene at high magnetic fields

ORAL

Abstract

The resistance at the charge neutral (Dirac) point was shown by Checkelsky \textit{et al} in Phys.\ Rev.\ B \textbf{79}, 115434 (2009) to diverge upon the application of a strong magnetic field normal to graphene. We argue that this divergence is the signature for a Kekul\'e instability of graphene, which is induced by the magnetic field. We show that the strong magnetic field does not remove the zero modes that bind a fraction of the electron around vortices in the Kekul\'e dimerization pattern, and that quenched disorder present in the system makes it energetically possible to separate the fractional charges. These findings, altogether, indicate that graphene can sustain deconfined fractionalized electrons.

Authors

  • Chang-Yu Hou

    Institute-Lorentz, Leiden University, Universiteit Leiden

  • Claudio Chamon

    Boston University, Physics Dept., Boston University

  • Christopher Mudry

    CMT group, Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland, Paul Scherrer Institut