Spin-polarized transport in a normal/ferromagnetic/normal zigzag graphene nanoribbon junction

We investigate the spin-dependent electron transport in single and double normal/ferromagnetic/normal zigzag graphene nanoribbon (NG/FG/NG) junctions.The ferromagnetism in the FG region originates from the spontaneous magnetization of the zigzag graphene nanoribbon.It is shown that when the zigzag-chain number of the ribbon is even and only a single transverse mode is actived,the single NG/FG/NG junction can act as a spin polarizer and/or a spin analyzer because of the valley selection rule and the spin-exchange field in the FG,while the double NG/FG/NG/FG/NG junction exhibits a quantum switching effect,in which the on and the off states switch rapidly by varying the cross angle between two FG magnetizations.Our findings may shed light on the application of magnetized graphene nanoribbons to spintronics devices.     

Spin-polarized transport in a normal/ferromagnetic/normal zigzag graphene nanoribbon junction

We investigate the spin-dependent electron transport in single and double normal/ferromagnetic/normal zigzag graphene nanoribbon (NG/FG/NG) junctions. The ferromagnetism in the FG region originates from the spontaneous magnetization of the zigzag graphene nanoribbon. It is shown that when the zigzag-chain number of the ribbon is even and only a single transverse mode is actived, the single NG/FG/NG junction can act as a spin polarizer and/or a spin analyzer because of the valley selection rule and the spin-exchange field in the FG, while the double NG/FG/NG/FG/NG junction exhibits a quantum switching effect, in which the on and the off states switch rapidly by varying the cross angle between two FG magnetizations. Our findings may shed light on the application of magnetized graphene nanoribbons to spintronics devices.     

Large negative differential resistance in graphene nanoribbon superlattices

A graphene nanoribbon superlattice with a large negative differential resistance (NDR) is proposed. Our results show that the peak-to-valley ratio (PVR) of the graphene superlattices can reach 21 at room temperature with bias voltages between 90–220 mV, which is quite large compared with the one of traditional graphene-based devices. It is found that the NDR is strongly influenced by the thicknesses of the potential barrier. Therefore, the NDR effect can be optimized by designing a proper barrier thickness. The large NDR effect can be attributed to the splitting of the gap in transmission spectrum (segment of Wannier–Stark ladder) with larger thicknesses of barrier when the applied voltage increases.     

A graphene quantum dot realized by an armchair graphene nanoribbon with line defect

The electron transport in a semiconducting armchair graphene nanoribbon with line defect is theoretically investigated, by coupling it to two normal metallic leads. It is found that the line defect induces a new localized quantum state near the Dirac point, and that the coupling between this state and the leads provides a channel for the resonant tunneling. This means that such a finite‐size nanoribbon can be viewed as a quantum dot. When two line defects are present simultaneously, a coupled quantum dot forms, leading to the splitting of the conductance peaks. With these results, we propose such a structure to be a promising candidate of an electron transistor. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Valley selection rule in a Y-shaped zigzag graphene nanoribbon junction

The valley valve effect was predicted in a straight zigzag graphene nanoribbon （ZGR） p/n junction. In this work, we address a possible valley selection rule in a Y-shaped ZGR junction. By modeling the system as a three-terminal device and calculating the conductance spectrum, we found that the valley valve effect could be preserved in the system and the Y-shaped connection does not mix the valley index or the pseudoparities of quasiparticles. It is also shown that the Y-shaped ZGR device can be used to separate spins in real space according to the unchanged valley valve effect. Our finding might pave a way to manipulate and detect spins in a multi-terminal graphene-based spin device.     

Zigzag型边界石墨烯纳米带的电子态

在紧束缚近似下, 提出有限系统的Bloch定理方法, 解析计算了Zigzag型石墨烯纳米带的电子态和能带.研究发现, 其电子态有两类, 分别是驻波态和边缘态; 驻波态的波矢为实数, 波函数是正弦函数形式; 边缘态的波矢主要是虚数, 实数部分为零或者π/2, 波函数是双曲正弦函数形式. Zigzag型石墨烯纳米带的能带由驻波态能量和边缘态能量组成, 我们推导了边缘态的关于无限长方向波矢和能量的精确取值范围. 讨论了边缘态和驻波态的过渡点, 发现两种电子态通过不同的方式在受限波矢趋于零时关于格点位置逼近线性关系. 当受限方向也变成无限长时, 可以得到与无限大石墨烯相同的能带关系. 关键词： 紧束缚模型 Zigzag型石墨烯纳米带 边缘态     

Interlayer vacancy effects on the phonon modes in AB stacked bilayer graphene nanoribbon

We explore the effects of interlayer vacancy defects on the vibrational properties of Bernal (AB) stacking bilayer armchair graphene nanoribbons (BiAGNRs) using the forced vibrational method. It is observed that the Raman active longitudinal optical (LO) phonon of BiAGNR is shifted downward with the decrease of the ribbon width and an increase of the vacancy concentrations. We find that vacancies induce some new peaks in the low frequency regime of the phonon density of states. Our calculated typical mode patterns elucidate that the localized transverse optical phonon at the K-point is shifted towards the defect sites from the edges with increased vacancy concentrations. In addition, the impact of defect induced phonon modes on the specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of BiAGNRs are discussed. These results present a new way of understanding the heat dissipation phenomena of graphene-based high-performance nanodevices and to clarify the Raman and the experiments related to the phonon properties.     

锯齿型石墨烯纳米窄带中量子霍尔体系的电场调控

应用含自洽格点在位库仑作用的Kane-Mele模型,研究锯齿型石墨烯纳米窄带平面内横向电场对边界带能带结构和量子自旋霍尔(QSH)体系的影响.研究结果显示,当电场强度较弱时,外加电场的方向可以调控自旋向下的两个边界带一起朝不同方向移动,导致波矢q=0.5处自旋向下的两个纯边界态的能量简并劈裂方向可由电场调控;当电场强度进一步增强到超过0.69 V/nm,自旋向下的两个边界带出现较大带隙,能带反转,而自旋向上的电子结构无能隙,系统呈现半金属性,同时QSH体系不再是B类.特别当电场强度为1.17 V/nm时,在自旋向下能带的能隙中,q=0.5处存在自旋向上的纯边界态,意味着在8格点边界处可以产生自旋向上的纯边界电流.当电场强度持续增加时,QSH系统从B类到C类经历3个阶段的变化.当电场强度超过1.42 V/nm后,自旋向上的两个边界带也出现能带反转,分别成为导带和价带,系统成为C类的普通量子霍尔体系.     

Spin-dependent transport properties of an armchair boron-phosphide nanoribbon embedded between two graphene nanoribbon electrodes

Using non-equilibrium Green׳s function and ab initio calculations we investigate structural, electronic, and transport properties of a junction consisting of armchair hexagonal boron phosphide nanoribbon (ABPNR) contacted by two semi-infinite electrodes composed of armchair graphene nanoribbons (AGNRs). We consider three different configurations including the pristine AGNR–BP–GNR and substitutions for Iron atoms, namely on phosphorus and boron atoms at one edge of the BP nanoribbon. The spin current polarization in all these cases is extracted for each structure and bias. Such hybrid system is found to exhibit not only significant spin-filter efficiency (SFE) but also tunable negative differential resistance (NDR).     

Fano resonance in electronic transport induced by the magnetic confinement in a graphene nanoribbon

Based on the Floquet scattering theory, a model of graphene-based electronic device is presented, in which electrical transport is controlled by adjusting Dirac fermions energy near resonance conditions. The presence of an oscillating field leads to the Fano resonance in transport through a magnetic structure in an armchair graphene nanoribbon (AGNR). The Fano resonance originates from bound states of the magnetic confinement, according to subband indices in the AGNR. The ballistic conductance is markedly affected by the Fano resonance due to the quasi-one-dimensional nature of AGNRs. The results may help realizing graphene electronics with the resonant characteristics in the conductance.     

Electronic properties of graphene nanoribbon doped by boron/nitrogen pair: a first-principles study

By using the first-principles calculations, the electronic properties of graphene nanoribbon (GNR) doped by boron/nitrogen (B/N) bonded pair are investigated. It is found that B/N bonded pair tends to be doped at the edges of GNR and B/N pair doping in GNR is easier to carry out than single B doping and unbonded B/N co-doping in GNR. The electronic structure of GNR doped by B/N pair is very sensitive to doping site besides the ribbon width and chirality. Moreover, B/N pair doping can selectively adjust the energy gap of armchair GNR and can induce the semimetal-semiconductor transmission for zigzag GNR. This fact may lead to a possible method for energy band engineering of GNRs and benefit the design of graphene electronic device.     

锯齿型石墨纳米带叠层复合结的电子输运

基于紧束缚格林函数方法,研究了两半无限长锯齿型石墨纳米带叠层复合结的电子输运性质.结果表明,层间次近邻相互作用、叠层区长度及门电压对复合结的电子透射谱有重要调制作用.层间次近邻相互作用导致复合结的透射谱关于费米能呈现非对称性,与实验结果很好相符.低于费米能第一子能区内周期性出现透射系数为0和1的台阶,呈现全反射与透射现象.随散射结长度增加,透射系数在1内周期性振荡,呈现明显的量子干涉效应.在门电压调控下,低于费米能的透射系数出现了从1到0的转变,类似于开关效应.相关结果对基于石墨烯器件的设计与应用有指导意义.     

基于石墨烯电极的Co-Salophene分子器件的自旋输运

采用基于非平衡格林函数结合第一性原理的密度泛函理论的计算方法,研究了基于锯齿型石墨纳米带电极的Co-Salophene分子器件的自旋极化输运性质.计算结果表明,当左右电极为平行自旋结构时,自旋向上的电流明显大于自旋向下的电流,自旋向下的电流在[-1V,1V]偏压下接近零,分子器件表现出优异的自旋过滤效应.与此同时,在自旋向上电流中发现负微分电阻效应.当左右电极为反平行自旋结构时,器件表现出双自旋过滤和双自旋分子整流效应.除此之外,整个分子器件还表现出较高的巨磁阻效应.通过分析器件的自旋极化透射谱、局域态密度、电极的能带结构和分子自洽投影哈密顿量,详细解释该分子器件表现出众多特性的内在机理.研究结果对设计多功能分子器件具有重要的借鉴意义.     

Semiconductor with intrinsic spin: a hybrid structure of zigzag edge graphene nanoribbon/single‐walled carbon nanotube

A hybrid structure of n ‐ZGRN/(m,m)SWCNT, namely n ‐ZGNR‐(m,m)SWCNT, is predicted. It is found that the n ‐ZGNR‐(m,m)SWCNT is a ferromagnetic semiconductor with intrinsic spin in which the manipulation of spin‐polarized currents can be achieved just simply by applying a gate voltage. Moreover, compared to n ‐ZGNR, the n‐ ZGNR‐(m,m)SWCNT possesses enhanced local magnetic moment. Semiconductors with intrinsic spin represent a new direction in the exploration of materials for spintronics and good prospects for practical spintronic applications. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Spin filter properties of armchair graphene nanoribbons with substitutional Fe atoms

ABSTRACT

The spin filter capability of a (0,8) armchair graphene nanoribbon with Fe atoms at substitutional sites is investigated by density functional theory in combination with the non-equilibrium Green's function technique. For specific arrangements, a high degree of spin polarisation is achieved. These include a single substitution at an edge position or double substitution in the central sector of the transmission element. The possibility of switching between majority and minority spin polarisation by changing the double substitution geometry is predicted. Including the bias dependence of the transmission function proves to be essential for correct representation of the spin-resolved current-voltage profiles.     

Zigzag型石墨纳米带电子结构和输运性质的第一性原理研究

采用第一性原理电子结构和输运性质计算研究了zigzag型单层石墨纳米带(具有armchair 边缘)的电子结构和输运性质及其边缘空位缺陷效应. 研究发现,完整边缘的zigzag型石墨纳米带是具有一定能隙的半导体带,边缘空位缺陷的存在使得纳米带能隙变小,且缺陷浓度越大,能隙越小,并发生了半导体-金属转变. 利用这些研究结果,将有助于在能带工程中实现其电子结构裁剪. 关键词： 石墨纳米带 空位缺陷 电子结构 输运性质     

次近邻跃迁对石墨烯纳米带输运性质的影响

根据紧束缚模型,利用格林函数的方法,将次近邻跃迁考虑在内,研究了扶手椅型石墨烯纳米带的输运性质.通过数值计算,给出了不同尺寸和不同次近邻跃迁能下系统的能量-电导和电流-电压特征曲线.结果表明,次近邻跃迁对扶手椅型石墨烯纳米带的输运性质有显著的影响.它破坏了电导共振峰关于能量的对称分布,增强了系统的导电性,减小了电子导电偏压阈值,加速了系统输运性能由半导体向导体转变. 次近邻跃迁能和石墨烯纳米带的尺寸越大,这种影响越明显     

Zigzag型石墨纳米带电子结构和输运性质的第一性原理研究

采用第一性原理电子结构和输运性质计算研究了zigzag型单层石墨纳米带(具有armchair 边缘)的电子结构和输运性质及其边缘空位缺陷效应. 研究发现，完整边缘的zigzag型石墨纳米带是具有一定能隙的半导体带，边缘空位缺陷的存在使得纳米带能隙变小，且缺陷浓度越大，能隙越小，并发生了半导体-金属转变. 利用这些研究结果，将有助于在能带工程中实现其电子结构裁剪.     

N掺杂对zigzag型石墨烯纳米带的能带结构和输运性质的影响

用第一性原理研究了N掺杂zigzag型石墨烯纳米带(z-GNRs)的能带结构、透射谱和电流电压特性,研究结果表明N掺杂将使得z-GNRs的能带结构中出现能隙,材料从金属转变为半导体;随着杂质浓度的增大,相同偏压下电流明显减小,同时体系费米面附近的透射率逐渐减小;z-GNRs的长度、宽度以及N原子的替代掺杂位置均会对输运性质产生影响,在宽度较小的情况下,掺杂浓度和掺杂位置两种因素共同影响体系的输运性质. 关键词： 石墨烯纳米带 N掺杂 能带结构 输运性质     

Abnormal electronic transport in disordered graphene nanoribbon

We investigate the conductivity σ of graphene nanoribbons with zigzag edges as a function of Fermi energy E_F in the presence of the impurities with different potential range. The dependence of σ(E_F) displays four different types of behavior, classified to different regimes of length scales decided by the impurity potential range and its density. Particularly, low density of long range impurities results in an extremely low conductance compared to the ballistic value, a linear dependence of σ(E_F) and a wide dip near the Dirac point, due to the special properties of long range potential and edge states. These behaviors agree well with the results from a recent experiment by Miao et al. [Science 317 (2007) 1530 (SOM)].