journal article·2026-03-01Open access

Quantum confinement in circular graphene p – n junctions: A reproducible Kwant framework with density of states, LDOS, and magnetic field effects

Yohannes Achenefe Nigusie

AIP Advances· Volume 16· Issue 3

Abstract

We present a reproducible computational framework to investigate quantum confinement and transport in circular graphene p–n junctions using the Kwant package. The system consists of a finite circular graphene flake under a smooth electrostatic potential described by a hyperbolic tangent profile, forming a continuous p–n interface. Two non collinear semi-infinite graphene leads enable current injection and extraction. We compute the eigenvalue spectra, density of states, local density of states, and two-terminal conductance. The framework incorporates a perpendicular magnetic field through the Peierls phase, allowing analysis of magneto-confinement and Landau-like resonances. We further derive semiclassical confinement conditions from the Dirac equation, linking analytic estimates to numerical eigenstates. All simulations and figures are generated in a headless Python environment, ensuring full reproducibility. This work highlights the interplay between smooth electrostatic potentials, magnetic quantization, and finite size confinement in graphene nanostructures.
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Research context

OpenAlex topics: Graphene research and applications · Topological Materials and Phenomena · Quantum and electron transport phenomena

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Affiliations

Department of Physics, Debre Tabor University , Debre Tabor,

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