Nontrivial quantum phases in natural bilayer graphene accessed by control of bandstructure and screening

The exchange interaction can lead to correlated states in low dimensional systems such as the graphene family. Regions of large density of states are especially prone to correltaion effects, an example that will be discussed is the recently identified exchange driven quantum anomalous Hall (QAH) nu=2 state that exhibits quantized charge Hall conductance close to zero magnetic field as well as spin, valley and spin-valley anomalous quantum Hall effects and out-of-plane ferroelectricity in suspended bilayer graphene [1]. In the case that bilayers are encapsulated in h-BN, a large displacement field can be applied allowing the opening of a gap in the density of states with a concomitant van-Hove-singularity close to the band edges. We will discuss our recent measurements [2] in such device structures that indicate that close to the band edges novel states appear that are distinct from Stoner [3,4] and other single particle physics. For example, one identified state is consistent with a Chern insulating state at finite density in the valence band.

 

[1] F. R. Geisenhof, F. Winterer, A. M. Seiler, J. Lenz, T. Xu, F. Zhang and R. T. Weitz, "Quantum anomalous Hall octet driven by orbital magnetism in bilayer graphene", Nature 598, 53 (2021)

[2] A. M. Seiler, F. R. Geisenhof, F. Winterer, K. Watanabe, T. Taniguchi, T. Xu, F. Zhang and R. T. Weitz, "Quantum cascade of new correlated phases in trigonally warped bilayer graphene", Nature 608, (2022) 298

[3] H. Zhou, Y. Saito, L. Cohen, W. Huynh, C. L. Patterson, F. Yang, T. Taniguchi, K. Watanabe, A. F. Young, “Isospin magnetism and spin-triplet superconductivity in Bernal bilayer graphene”, Science 375 (2022), 774

[4] S. C. de la Barrera, S. Aronson, Z. Zheng, K. Watanabe, T. Taniguchi, Q. Ma, P. Jarillo-Herrero, R. Ashoori, “Cascade of isospin phase transitions in Bernal bilayer graphene at zero magnetic field” Nature Physics 18, (2022) 771