Zener tunneling in biased bilayer graphene via analytic continuation of semiclassical theory
Phys. Rev. B 114, 235409 – Published 14 October, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/k2m8-zd4b
Abstract
Employing a semiclassical method based on analytic continuation, we compute the electron-hole pair production rate in biased bilayer graphene subject to an in-plane electric field. This approach, originally due to Zwaan, bypasses the need for exact solutions at turning points, which are generally unavailable beyond linear or quadratic band structures. Applying this technique to biased bilayer graphene reveals nonstandard features of the asymptotic wave functions, in particular, the necessity of retaining decaying components even in classically allowed regions. By providing a fully analytic solution, this work complements and clarifies earlier results based on hybrid analytical–numerical treatments, and importantly establishes the absolute normalization of the pair production rate, and hence, of the tunneling current.
