Particle-hole Hall effect in graphenelike structures

Martinez, J. C.; Jalil, M. B. A.; Tan, S. G.

Particle-hole Hall effect in graphenelike structures

Authors

Martinez, J. C.

Jalil, M. B. A.

Tan, S. G.

Description

We show that a moderately strong constant electric field in the plane of a monolayer graphene sheet can create particle-hole pairs at an observable rate. The pairs undergo zitterbewegung in opposite directions leading to a Hall-like separation of the charge carriers and a measurable transverse dipole moment is predicted which serves as the signature of the zitterbewegung. In contrast with the created pairs, the zero modes of the excitation induce a current transverse to the electric field but do not result in separated charges. For bilayer graphene a similar effect by the electric field is shown not to be possible.
15 pages