Atomic collapse in disordered graphene quantum dots

Abstract

In this paper, we numerically study a Coulomb impurity problem for interacting Dirac fermions restricted in disordered graphene quantum dots. In the presence of randomly distributed lattice defects and spatial potential fluctuations, the response of the critical coupling constant for atomic collapse is mainly investigated by local density of states calculations within the extended mean-field Hubbard model. We find that both types of disorder cause an amplification of the critical threshold. As a result, up to a 34% increase in the critical coupling constant is reported. This numerical result may explain why the Coulomb impurities remain subcritical in experiments, even if they are supercritical in theory. Our results also point to the possibility that atomic collapse can be observed in defect-rich samples such as Ar+ ion bombarded, He+ ion irradiated, and hydrogenated graphene.