Export citation

Export citation

Choose format for download:

Download Citation
  • Editors' Suggestion

Pressure-Driven Moiré Potential Enhancement and Tertiary Gap Opening in Graphene/h-BN Heterostructure

Yupeng Wang1,2,*, Jiaqi An1,3,4,*, Chunhui Ye1,2,*, Xiangqi Wang5, Di Mai1,2, Hongze Zhao1,2, Yang Zhang1,2, Chiyu Peng1,2, Kenji Watanabe6 et al.

Takashi Taniguchi6, Xiaoyu Sun7, Rucheng Dai7, Zhongping Wang7, Wei Qin3,4,8,†, Zhenhua Qiao1,3,4,8,‡, and Zengming Zhang2,4,7,§

  • *These authors contributed equally to this work.
  • †Contact author: qinwei5@ustc.edu.cn
  • ‡Contact author: qiao@ustc.edu.cn
  • §Contact author: zzm@ustc.edu.cn

Phys. Rev. Lett. 135, 046303 – Published 24 July, 2025

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/xs5j-hp3p

Abstract

Moiré superlattices enable engineering of correlated quantum states through tunable periodic potentials, where twist angle controls periodicity but dynamic potential strength modulation remains challenging. Here, we develop a high-pressure quantum transport technique for van der Waals heterostructures, achieving the ultimate pressure limit (∼9  GPa) in encapsulated moiré devices. In aligned graphene/h-BN, we demonstrate that pressure induces a substantial enhancement of the moiré potential strength, evidenced by the suppression of the first valence bandwidth and the near-doubling of the primary band gap. Moreover, we report the first observation of a tertiary gap emerging above 6.4 GPa, verifying theoretical predictions. Our results establish hydrostatic pressure as a universal parameter to reshape moiré band structures. By enabling quantum transport studies at previously inaccessible pressure regimes, this Letter expands the accessible parameter space for exploring correlated phases in moiré systems.

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Collections

This article appears in the following collection:

PRL Collection of the Year 2025

For the second year in a row, our editors have curated a set of some of the best papers from the wide range of topics PRL covers in fundamental and applied physical science. Congratulations to all the authors in this collection!

Authorization Required

We need you to provide your credentials before accessing this content.

Supplemental Material (Subscription Required)

References (Subscription Required)

Outline

Information

Sign In to Your Journals Account

Filter

Filter

Article Lookup

Enter a citation