Hydrodynamics of electrons in graphene. (5th January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lucas, Andrew; Fong, Kin Chung
• Is Part Of: Journal of physics. Volume 30:Number 5(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-01-05
• Subjects: Dirac fluid -- graphene -- hydrodynamics -- plasma -- Fermi liquid; Condensed matter -- Periodicals; Matière condensée -- Périodiques; Vaste stoffen; Vloeistoffen; Natuurkunde; Electronic journals; Computer network resources; 530.4105
• DOI: 10.1088/1361-648X/aaa274
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0953-8984

Abstract

Abstract: Generic interacting many-body quantum systems are believed to behave as classical fluids on long time and length scales. Due to rapid progress in growing exceptionally pure crystals, we are now able to experimentally observe this collective motion of electrons in solid-state systems, including graphene. We present a review of recent progress in understanding the hydrodynamic limit of electronic motion in graphene, written for physicists from diverse communities. We begin by discussing the 'phase diagram' of graphene, and the inevitable presence of impurities and phonons in experimental systems. We derive hydrodynamics, both from a phenomenological perspective and using kinetic theory. We then describe how hydrodynamic electron flow is visible in electronic transport measurements. Although we focus on graphene in this review, the broader framework naturally generalizes to other materials. We assume only basic knowledge of condensed matter physics, and no prior knowledge of hydrodynamics.