Surface Acoustic Wave Induced Square Periodic Potentials on Graphene

Periodic potentials such as moire patterns in graphene demonstrate unconventional superconductivity, as the lattices change the band structure of graphene. Surface Acoustic Waves (SAW) are an additional way to form localized arrays of electrons. With a 4 interdigital transducer SAW design, we can induce square periodic potentials on a hexagonal graphene lattice. Measuring the acoustoelectric current and conductivity as a function of SAW intensity, we can investigate the effects of induced time dependent periodic potential lattices on graphene giving novel insight into engineered modifications to electronic band structure. Using SAWs to induce variable carrier density in 2d materials opens the door to novel control of quasiparticle interactions for the creation and manipulation of quantum simulation.