Topologically ordered zigzag nanoribbon: e/2 fractional edge charge, spin-charge separation, and ground-state degeneracy

S. R.Eric Yang, Min Chul Cha, Hye Jeong Lee, Young Heon Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We numerically compute the density of states (DOS) of interacting disordered zigzag graphene nanoribbon (ZGNR) having midgap states showing e/2 fractional edge charges. The computed Hartree-Fock DOS is linear at the critical disorder strength where the gap vanishes. This implies an I-V curve of I∝V2. Thus, I-V curve measurement may yield evidence of fractional charges in interacting disordered ZGNR. We show that even a weak disorder potential acts as a singular perturbation on zigzag edge electronic states, producing drastic changes in the energy spectrum. Spin-charge separation and fractional charges play a key role in the reconstruction of edge antiferromagnetism. Our results show that an interacting disordered ZGNR is a topologically ordered Mott-Anderson insulator.

Original languageEnglish
Article number033109
JournalPhysical Review Research
Volume2
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2020 Jul

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physics and Astronomy(all)

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