Relativistic artificial molecule of two coupled graphene quantum dots at tunable distances.

ABSTRACT: In a molecule formed by two atoms, energy difference between bonding and antibonding orbitals depends on distance between the two atoms. However, exploring molecular orbitals of two natural atoms with tunable distance has remained an outstanding experimental challenge. Graphene quantum dots can be viewed as relativistic artificial atoms, thus offering a unique platform to study molecular physics. Here, through scanning tunneling microscope, we create and directly visualize the formation process of relativistic artificial molecules based on two coupled graphene quantum dots with tunable distance. Our study indicates that energy difference between the bonding and antibonding orbitals of the lowest quasibound state increases linearly with inverse distance between the two graphene quantum dots

SUBMITTER: Zhou XF 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11467399 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature