Particle-hole Hall effect in graphenelike structures

Understand

We show that a moderately strong constant electric field in the plane of a monolayer graphene sheet can create particle-hole pairs at an observable rate.

• The pairs undergo zitterbewegung in opposite directions leading to a Hall-like separation of the charge carriers and a measurable transverse dipole moment is predicted which serves as the signature of the zitterbewegung.
• In contrast with the created pairs, the zero modes of the excitation induce a current transverse to the electric field but do not result in separated charges.
• For bilayer graphene a similar effect by the electric field is shown not to be possible.