Lattice Distortion in Nanographite Ribbons

Abstract

We study the lattice distortion in graphite ribbons of a nanometer width by taking account of the electron-phonon interaction in the tight binding model. In the ribbons with armchair edges, the typical Kekulé structure appears near the edges depending on the distribution of the bond orders. On the other hand, the zigzag ribbons do not undergo bond alternations along the ribbon axis, implying less Peierls instability. Special emphasis is put on the survival of the edge state which forms almost flat bands and a sharp peak in the density of states in consideration of the electron-phonon interaction.