Luttinger Stripes in Antiferromagnets

We propose a model for the physics of stripes in antiferromagnets in which the stripes are described by Luttinger liquids hybridized with antiferromagnetic domains. Using bosonization techniques we study the model in the limit where the magnetic correlation length is larger than the inter-stripe distance and propose an explanation for the commensurate-incommensurate phase transition seen in neutron scattering in the underdoped regime of La_{2-x} Sr_x Cu O_4. The explanation is based on a phase to anti-phase domain transition in the spin configuration which is associated with the transverse motion of the stripes. Using a non-linear sigma model to describe the antiferromagnetic regions we conjecture the crystalization of the stripes in the magnetically ordered phase.Comment: 9 pages, Revtex, Epsf, 4 figures. To appear in the Proceedings of the Euroconference on "Correlations in unconventional quantum liquids" in Zeitschrift f\"ur Physik B - Condensed Matter (dedicated to the memory of Sir Rudolph Peierls

Conductivity of suspended and non-suspended graphene at finite gate voltage

We compute the DC and the optical conductivity of graphene for finite values of the chemical potential by taking into account the effect of disorder, due to mid-gap states (unitary scatterers) and charged impurities, and the effect of both optical and acoustic phonons. The disorder due to mid-gap states is treated in the coherent potential approximation (CPA, a self-consistent approach based on the Dyson equation), whereas that due to charged impurities is also treated via the Dyson equation, with the self-energy computed using second order perturbation theory. The effect of the phonons is also included via the Dyson equation, with the self energy computed using first order perturbation theory. The self-energy due to phonons is computed both using the bare electronic Green's function and the full electronic Green's function, although we show that the effect of disorder on the phonon-propagator is negligible. Our results are in qualitative agreement with recent experiments. Quantitative agreement could be obtained if one assumes water molelcules under the graphene substrate. We also comment on the electron-hole asymmetry observed in the DC conductivity of suspended graphene.Comment: 13 pages, 11 figure

Bilayer graphene: gap tunability and edge properties

Bilayer graphene -- two coupled single graphene layers stacked as in graphite -- provides the only known semiconductor with a gap that can be tuned externally through electric field effect. Here we use a tight binding approach to study how the gap changes with the applied electric field. Within a parallel plate capacitor model and taking into account screening of the external field, we describe real back gated and/or chemically doped bilayer devices. We show that a gap between zero and midinfrared energies can be induced and externally tuned in these devices, making bilayer graphene very appealing from the point of view of applications. However, applications to nanotechnology require careful treatment of the effect of sample boundaries. This being particularly true in graphene, where the presence of edge states at zero energy -- the Fermi level of the undoped system -- has been extensively reported. Here we show that also bilayer graphene supports surface states localized at zigzag edges. The presence of two layers, however, allows for a new type of edge state which shows an enhanced penetration into the bulk and gives rise to band crossing phenomenon inside the gap of the biased bilayer system.Comment: 8 pages, 3 fugures, Proceedings of the International Conference on Theoretical Physics: Dubna-Nano200

Algebraic solution of a graphene layer in a transverse electric and perpendicular magnetic fields

We present an exact algebraic solution of a single graphene plane in transverse electric and perpendicular magnetic fields. The method presented gives both the eigen-values and the eigen-functions of the graphene plane. It is shown that the eigen-states of the problem can be casted in terms of coherent states, which appears in a natural way from the formalism.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures, accepted for publication in Journal of Physics Condensed Matte