Symmetry and Dirac points in graphene spectrum (Q1668123)

Consider the Schrödinger operator \(H = -\Delta +q({\mathbf x})\), \({\mathbf x}\in \mathbb{R}^2\), with real-valued potential \(q({\mathbf x})\), which is moreover assumed to be periodic with respect to the honeycomb lattice. In analyzing the spectrum of \(H\), one is led to the consideration of Floquet-Bloch states \(\psi({\mathbf x}, {\mathbf k}) = p({\mathbf x}, {\mathbf k}) e^{i {\mathbf k}\cdot {\mathbf x}}\), where \(H\psi({\mathbf x}, {\mathbf k}) = \lambda({\mathbf k})\psi({\mathbf x}, {\mathbf k})\) and \(p({\mathbf x}, {\mathbf k})\) is periodic with the periodicity of \(q({\mathbf x})\). For every fixed quasi-momentum vector \({\mathbf k}\), the eigenvalues \(\lambda({\mathbf k})\) form a discrete ordered set, and as \({\mathbf k}\) varies over the first Brillouin zone, the graphs of \(\lambda({\mathbf k})\) constitute the dispersion relation. In this very interesting article, the authors re-examine results in [\textit{C. L. Fefferman} and \textit{M. I. Weinstein}, J. Am. Math. Soc. 25, No. 4, 1169--1220 (2012; Zbl 1316.35214)] regarding the conical degeneracy of the dispersion surfaces at certain values of the quasi-momentum (the Dirac points). In the process, a new perspective on this phenomenon is offered. The new approach is based more on group representation theory, and explains how various additional symmetries contribute to the occurrence and stability of the degeneracies. Numerical examples are given on discrete Schrödinger operators on graphs, and the tools developed here can be applied to lattice structures other than the honeycomb lattice.