- Physical Review Journals
All JournalsPhysics Magazine

Physical Review E

Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation
  • Letter

Variational scarring in graphene quantum dots

J. Keski-Rahkonen1,2,*, C. Zou3,*, A. M. Graf1,2,4, Q. Yao5, T. Zhu5, J. Velasco, Jr.5, and E. J. Heller1,2

  • 1Department of Physics, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
  • 2Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
  • 3Harvard College, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
  • 4Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, USA
  • 5Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Cruz, California 95064, USA

  • *These authors contributed equally to this work.
PDF

Phys. Rev. E 112, L012201 – Published 15 July, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/4twp-9cpk

Abstract

A quantum eigenstate of a classically chaotic system is referred to as scarred by an unstable periodic orbit if its probability density is concentrated in the vicinity of that orbit. Recently, a new class of scarring - variational scarring - was discovered in numerical studies of disordered quantum dots, arising from near-degeneracies in the quantum spectrum associated with classical resonances of the unperturbed system. Despite the increasing body of theoretical evidence on variational scarring, its experimental observation has remained out of reach. Motivated by this dearth, we argue and demonstrate that variational scarring can occur in an elliptical quantum dot fabricated on monolayer graphene, and locally perturbed by a nanotip. Then, we further show that the fingerprint of these variational scars can potentially be detected via scanning tunneling microscopy, thus offering an attractive experimental pathway for the first validation of this puzzling quantum-chaotic phenomenon.

View figure in article

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Authorization Required

We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.
Article Available via CHORUS
Download Accepted Manuscript

Other Options

References (Subscription Required)

Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. E 112, L012201– Published 15 July, 2025
  • Received 13 February 2025
  • Accepted 17 June 2025
Crossmark - Check for updates button

©2025 American Physical Society

Sign In to Your Journals Account

Filter

Filter

Article Lookup

Enter a citation