English

Twist-tuned quantum criticality in moir\'e bilayer graphene

Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics 2025-07-10 v2 Strongly Correlated Electrons High Energy Physics - Theory

Abstract

We argue that moir\'e bilayer graphene at charge neutrality hosts a continuous semimetal-to-insulator quantum phase transition that can be accessed experimentally by tuning the twist angle between the two layers. For small twist angles near the first magic angle, the system realizes a Kramers intervalley-coherent insulator, characterized by circulating currents and spontaneously broken time reversal and U(1) valley symmetries. For larger twist angles above a critical value, the spectrum remains gapless down to the lowest temperatures, with a fully symmetric Dirac semimetal ground state. Using self-consistent Hartree-Fock theory applied to a realistic model of twisted bilayer graphene, based on the Bistritzer-MacDonald Hamiltonian augmented by screened Coulomb interactions, we find that the twist-tuned quantum phase transition is continuous. We argue that the quantum critical behavior belongs to the relativistic Gross-Neveu-XY universality class, and we characterize it through an effective field theory analysis. Our theoretical predictions can be directly tested using current experimental setups incorporating the recently developed quantum twisting microscope.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2412.16042,
  title  = {Twist-tuned quantum criticality in moir\'e bilayer graphene},
  author = {Jan Biedermann and Lukas Janssen},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2412.16042},
  year   = {2025}
}

Comments

7+2 pages, 4+2 figures; v2: internal screening effects incorporated

R2 v1 2026-06-28T20:44:02.855Z