Charge Puddles in Graphene near the Dirac Point.

The charge carrier density in graphene on a dielectric substrate such as SiO_{2} displays inhomogeneities, the so-called charge puddles. Because of the linear dispersion relation in monolayer graphene, the puddles are predicted to grow near charge neutrality, a markedly distinct property from conventional two-dimensional electron gases. By performing scanning tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy on a mesoscopic graphene device, we directly observe the puddles' growth, both in spatial extent and in amplitude, as the Fermi level approaches the Dirac point. Self-consistent screening theory provides a unified description of both the macroscopic transport properties and the microscopically observed charge disorder.

Quantum Transport and Observation of Dyakonov-Perel Spin-Orbit Scattering in Monolayer MoS_{2}.

Monolayers of group 6 transition metal dichalcogenides are promising candidates for future spin-, valley-, and charge-based applications. Quantum transport in these materials reflects a complex interplay between real spin and pseudospin (valley) relaxation processes, which leads to either positive or negative quantum correction to the classical conductivity. Here we report experimental observation of a crossover from weak localization to weak antilocalization in highly n-doped monolayer MoS_{2}. We show that the crossover can be explained by a single parameter associated with electron spin lifetime of the system. At low temperatures and high carrier densities, the spin lifetime is inversely proportional to momentum relaxation time; this indicates that spin relaxation occurs via a Dyakonov-Perel mechanism.