Influence of carrier density and disorder on the quantum Hall plateau widths in epitaxial graphene

Abstract

The half-integer quantum Hall effect in graphene, characterized by the quantization of Hall resistivity as a function of applied magnetic field, offers opportunities for advancements in quantum metrology and the understanding of topological quantum states. While the role of disorder in stabilizing quantum Hall plateaus (QHPs) is widely recognized, the precise interplay between the plateaus’ width, disorder, mobility, and carrier density remains less explored. In this work, we investigate the width of the ν = 6 QHP in epitaxial graphene, focusing on two distinct regions of the device with markedly different electronic mobilities. Depending on the storage conditions, it is possible to modify the carrier density of graphene QHE devices and consequently increase or reduce the mobility. Our experiments reveal mobility variations of up to 200%fromtheir initial value. In particular, the sample storage time and ambient conditions also cause noticeable changes in the positions and extension of the QHPs. Our results show that the QHP extension for ν = 6 differs significantly between the two regions, influenced by both mobility and disorder, rather than solely by carrier density. Transport simulations based on the Landauer–Büttiker formalism with Anderson disorder in a scaled model reveal the critical role of impurities in shaping graphene transport properties, defining the extension of the QHPs. This study provides valuable insights into the interplay between mobility, disorder, and quantum transport in graphene systems.