Electrons’ movement through graphene to be used for unique electronics

Scientists at the University of Basel demonstrated for the first time that electrons in graphene can be moved along a predefined path. This movement occurs without loss and could provide a basis for electronics applications.

Electrons are known to move through graphene practically undisturbed – similar to rays of light. Attempts have been made to find a way to guide them, which the Basel team has now accomplished. The developed mechanism is based on a graphene property – combining an electrical field and a magnetic field makes the electrons move along a snake state. The line bends to the right, then to the left due to the sequence of positive and negative mass – a phenomenon unique to graphene that could be used as a novel switch that can be incorporated into a wide variety of devices and operated simply by altering the magnetic field or the electrical field.