High-order fractal states in graphene superlattices

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2018 May 15;115(20):5135-5139. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1804572115. Epub 2018 Apr 30.

Abstract

Graphene superlattices were shown to exhibit high-temperature quantum oscillations due to periodic emergence of delocalized Bloch states in high magnetic fields such that unit fractions of the flux quantum pierce a superlattice unit cell. Under these conditions, semiclassical electron trajectories become straight again, similar to the case of zero magnetic field. Here, we report magnetotransport measurements that reveal second-, third-, and fourth-order magnetic Bloch states at high electron densities and temperatures above 100 K. The recurrence of these states creates a fractal pattern intimately related to the origin of Hofstadter butterflies. The hierarchy of the fractal states is determined by the width of magnetic minibands, in qualitative agreement with our band-structure calculations.

Keywords: Hofstadter butterfly; graphene; superlattice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't