Valley polarization braiding in strained graphene

Abstract

Previous works on deformed graphene predict the existence of valley-polarized states, however, optimal conditions for their detection remain challenging. We show that in the quantum Hall regime, edge-like states in strained regions can be isolated in energy within Landau gaps. We identify precise conditions for new conducting edges-like states to be valley polarized, with the flexibility of positioning them at chosen locations in the system. A map of local density of states as a function of energy and position reveals a unique braid pattern that serves as a fingerprint to identify valley polarization.