Valleytronics research advances thanks to bi-layer graphene

Researchers from Penn State University demonstrated a new device, based on bi-layer graphene, that provides an experimental proof of the ability to control electron-flow by the valley degree of freedom. Valleytronics is a new field of science that aims to create devices that use electron's valley degree of freedom (in a somewhat similar way to Spintronics that aims to do the same with electron spin).

Bi-layer graphene based valleytronics experiment (Penn State)

The device is built from bi-layer graphene. The researchers added an electric field perpendicular to the plane opens a bandgap in the bi-layer graphene, which then enables them to build valleytronics valves in a physical gap present in the device.

Posted: Aug 31,2016 by Ron Mertens