Optical Trapping of Electrons in Graphene

Abstract

We propose an experimentally friendly scheme for trapping quasi-relativistic electrons in graphene by an electromagnetic beam with circular polarization and a spatially inhomogeneous profile with an intensity dip. The trapping is achieved due to the effect of band-gap opening outside the trapping region. The proposed mechanism allows for noninvasive electron confinement in graphene without any need for the chemical patterning of the sample or the application of metallic gates.