Quantum Hall Transport Measurements of Lateral p-n Junctions Formed via Precise Spatial Photodoping of Graphene/hBN Heterostructures

Abstract: Doped semiconductors are a central and crucial component of all integrated circuits. By using a combination of white light and a focused laser beam, and exploiting hBN defect states, heterostructures of hBN/Graphene/hBN are photodoped in-operando, reproducibly and reversibly. We demonstrate device geometries with spatially-defined doping type and magnitude. After each optical doping procedure, magnetotransport measurements including quantum Hall measurements are performed to characterize the device performance. In the unipolar (p+-p-p+ and n-n+-n) configurations, we observe quantization of the longitudinal resistance, proving well-defined doped regions and interfaces that are further analyzed by Landauer-Buttiker modeling. Our unique measurements and modeling of these optically doped devices reveal a complete separation of the p- and n-Landau level edge states. The non-interaction of the edge states results in an observed "insulating" state in devices with a bi-polar p-n-p configuration that is uncommon and has not been measured previously in graphene devices. This insulating state could be utilized in high-performance graphene electrical switches. These quantitative magnetotransport measurements confirm that these doping techniques can be applied to any 2D materials encapsulated within hBN layers, enabling versatile, rewritable circuit elements for future computing and memory applications.