Moiré Valleytronics: Realizing Dense Arrays of Topological Helical Channels

Abstract

We propose a general and robust platform, the moiré valleytronics, to realize high-density arrays of 1D topological helical channels in real materials at room temperature. We demonstrate the idea using a long-period 1D moiré pattern of graphene on hBN by first-principles calculation. Through calculating the Berry curvature and topological charge of the electronic structure associated with various local graphene/hBN stackings in the moiré pattern, it is revealed that the helical channel arrays originate intrinsically from the periodic modulation of the local topological orders by the moiré pattern. For a freestanding wavelike moiré pattern, two groups of helical channel arrays are spatially separated out of plane, validating the structural robustness of the moiré topology. The generality and experimental feasibility of moiré valleytronics are demonstrated by investigating a broad range of moiré systems.