Physics Colloquium, May 29, 2012
Graphene - from Simplicity to Complexity Ganapathy Baskaran

Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics (Canada) and The Institute of Mathematical Sciences (India)

Graphene, a 2 dimensional hexagonal net of p-pi bonded carbon atoms has received an enormous theoretical and experimental attention in the past years. I will sketch how complexity emerges from simplicity, in this mono-atomic 2-dimensional solid. Low energy electrons in graphene behave like 2 + 1 dimensional massless chiral Dirac particles. This underlies a variety of relativistic type phenomena that have been theoretically predicted: i) Klein tunnelling, ii) Zitterbewegung, iii) Lorenz boost, iv) Lorenz contraction, v) time dilation, vi) Majarona zero mode vii) parity anomaly and so on. There are also a variety of exciting possibilities: antilocalization, universal optical absorption, high-Tc magnetism, high-Tc chiral superconductivity in doped graphene. A pedagogic review, including some of our own work, will be presented.

Dr. Baskaran's Web Site

4:00 p.m., Physics Research Building (PRB), Room 1080

Reception at 3:45 p.m., Atrium, PRB