Lattice dynamics localization in low-angle twisted bilayer graphene

Abstract

A low twist angle between the two stacked crystal networks in bilayer graphene enables self-organized lattice reconstruction with the formation of a periodic domain. This superlattice modulates the vibrational and electronic structures, imposing new rules for electron-phonon coupling and the eventual observation of strong correlation and superconductivity. Direct optical images of the crystal superlattice in reconstructed twisted bilayer graphene are reported here, generated by the inelastic scattering of light in a nano-Raman spectroscope. The observation of the crystallographic structure with visible light is made possible due to lattice dynamics localization, the images resembling spectral variations caused by the presence of strain solitons and topological points. The results are rationalized by a nearly-free-phonon model and electronic calculations that highlight the relevance of solitons and topological points, particularly pronounced for structures with small twist angles. We anticipate our discovery to play a role in understanding Jahn-Teller effects and electronic Cooper pairing, among many other important phonon-related effects, and it may be useful for characterizing devices in the most prominent platform for the field of twistronics.

9 pages, 8 figures

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Cited by in corpus (4)

• Large-scale mapping of moiré superlattices by Raman imaging of interlayer breathing mode and moiré phonons
• Reconstruction of moiré lattices in twisted transition metal dichalcogenide bilayers
• The limits of Near Field Immersion Microwave Microscopy evaluated by imaging bilayer graphene Moiré patterns
• Phonon Renormalization in Reconstructed MoS${}_2$ Moiré Superlattices