Emergence of Tertiary Dirac Points in Graphene Moiré Superlattices

Abstract

The electronic structure of a crystalline solid is largely determined by its lattice structure. Recent advances in van der Waals solids, artificial crystals with controlled stacking of two-dimensional (2D) atomic films, have enabled the creation of materials with novel electronic structures. In particular, stacking graphene on hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) introduces a moiré superlattice that fundamentally modifies graphene's band structure and gives rise to secondary Dirac points (SDPs). Here we find that the formation of a moiré superlattice in graphene on hBN yields new, unexpected consequences: a set of tertiary Dirac points (TDPs) emerge, which give rise to additional sets of Landau levels when the sample is subjected to an external magnetic field. Our observations hint at the formation of a hidden Kekulé superstructure on top of the moiré superlattice under appropriate carrier doping and magnetic fields.