Complex structure of triangular graphene: Electronic, magnetic and electromechanical properties

Abstract

We have investigated electronic and magnetic properties of graphene nanodisks (nanosize triangular graphene) as well as electromechanical properties of graphene nanojunctions. Nanodisks are nanomagnets made of graphene, which are robust against perturbation such as impurities and lattice defects, where the ferromagnetic order is assured by Lieb's theorem. We can generate a spin current by spin filter, and manipulate it by a spin valve, a spin switch and other spintronic devices made of graphene nanodisks. We have analyzed nanodisk arrays, which have multi-degenerate perfect flat bands and are ferromagnet. By connecting two triangular graphene corners, we propose a nanomechanical switch and rotator, which can detect a tiny angle rotation by measuring currents between the two corners. By making use of the strain induced Peierls transition of zigzag nanoribbons, we also propose a nanomechanical stretch sensor, in which the conductance can be switched off by a nanometer scale stretching. Copyright © 2012 American Scientific Publishers All rights reserved.