Robust localized modes in bilayer graphene induced by an antisymmetric kink potential

Abstract

When bilayer graphene is gated with a kink potential, pair particle localization occurs at the kink where a particle (electron) and its chiral partner (hole) are held in balance by electrostatic coupling. Zero-energy states (zero modes) are always present in pairs and occur at the same point in the dispersion graph, regardless of kink strength. The robust and binary nature of the kink-induced modes, which are topologically protected against disorder, and the ease with which a kink is created suggest applications in switching devices or information storage. © 2009 American Institute of Physics.