Charge density wave and finite-temperature transport in minimally twisted bilayer graphene

We study phenomena driven by electron-electron interactions in the minimally twisted bilayer graphene (mTBLG) with a perpendicular electric field. The low-energy degrees of freedom in mTBLG are governed by a network of one-dimensional domain-wall states, described by two channels of one-dimensional linearly dispersing spin-1/2 fermions. We show that the interaction can realize a spin-gapped interchannel charge density wave (CDW) state at low temperatures, forming a Coulomb drag between the channels and leaving only one charge conducting mode. For sufficiently high temperatures, power-law-in-temperature resistivity emerges from the charge Umklapp scatterings within a domain wall. Remarkably, the presence of the CDW states can strengthen the charge Umklapp scattering and induce a resistivity minimum at an intermediate temperature corresponding to the CDW correlation energy. We further discuss the conditions that resistivity of the network is dominated by the domain walls. In particular, the power-law-in-temperature resistivity results can apply to other systems that manifest topological domain-wall structures.

Automated summary

This study investigates phenomena driven by electron-electron interactions in minimally twisted bilayer graphene (mTBLG) with a perpendicular electric field, showing that the interaction can create a spin-gapped interchannel charge density wave (CDW) state at low temperatures. The presence of CDW states can enhance charge Umklapp scattering and result in a resistivity minimum at an intermediate temperature corresponding to the CDW correlation energy, with power-law-in-temperature resistivity emerging.