Publication
Title
Graphene ripples as a realization of a two-dimensional Ising model : a scanning tunneling microscope study
Author
Abstract
Ripples in pristine freestanding graphene naturally orient themselves in an array that is alternately curved-up and curved-down; maintaining an average height of zero. Using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) to apply a local force, the graphene sheet will reversibly rise and fall in height until the height reaches 60%-70% of its maximum at which point a sudden, permanent jump occurs. We successfully model the ripples as a spin-half Ising magnetic system, where the height of the graphene plays the role of the spin. The permanent jump in height, controlled by the tunneling current, is found to be equivalent to an antiferromagnetic-to-ferromagnetic phase transition. The thermal load underneath the STM tip alters the local tension and is identified as the responsible mechanism for the phase transition. Four universal critical exponents are measured from our STM data, and the model provides insight into the statistical role of graphene's unusual negative thermal expansion coefficient.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Physical review : B : condensed matter and materials physics. - Lancaster, Pa, 1998 - 2015
Physical review: B: condensed matter and materials physics
Publication
Lancaster, Pa : 2015
ISSN
1098-0121 [print]
1550-235X [online]
DOI
10.1103/PHYSREVB.91.045413
Volume/pages
91 :4 (2015) , 6 p.
Article Reference
045413
ISI
000348762200011
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Project info
Exploring mechanical properties of pristine graphene and with nanoparticles using stochastic physics
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 13.03.2015
Last edited 09.10.2023
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