Long-wavelength local density of states oscillations near graphene step edges

Phys Rev Lett. 2012 Jan 6;108(1):016801. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.108.016801. Epub 2012 Jan 3.

Abstract

Using scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy, we have studied the local density of states (LDOS) of graphene over step edges in boron nitride. Long-wavelength oscillations in the LDOS are observed with maxima parallel to the step edge. Their wavelength and amplitude are controlled by the energy of the quasiparticles allowing a direct probe of the graphene dispersion relation. We also observe a faster decay of the LDOS oscillations away from the step edge than in conventional metals. This is due to the chiral nature of the Dirac fermions in graphene.