Time-evolution, dynamics and control of edge states in laser-driven graphene nanoribbons

An intense laser field in the high-frequency regime drives carriers in graphene nanoribbons out of equilibrium, creating topologically protected edge states. Based on a solution of the Floquet Hamiltonian we have studied these states in different regimes of intensity and polarization, showing the emergence of time-dependent edge states responsible for charge oscillations across the ribbon. Furthermore, they exhibit a robust dynamics also in the presence of localized atomic vacancies and we reveal how it is possible to control them by a modulated electrostatic potential in a way similar to Hall edge states, making them promising candidates for flying qubits architectures [1].

[1] M. Puviani et al., Dynamics and control of edge states in laser-driven graphene nanoribbons, Phys. Rev. B 95, 235430