Theory for constructing effective models for electrons in generic bilayer graphene

We present and discuss in detail practical techniques in formulating effective models to describe the dynamics of low-energy electrons in generic bilayer graphene. Starting from a tight-binding model using the $p_z$ orbital of carbon atoms as a representation basis set, we reformulate it into the problem of coupling between Bloch states defined in each graphene layer. This approach allows transferring the original problem into the determination of Bloch states in two independent material layers and coupling rules of such states. We show two schemes to parameterize coupled Bloch state vectors. For the bilayer graphene configurations of small twist angle in which the long wavelength approximation is applicable, we show that an effective Hamiltonian can be written in the canonical form of a kinetic term defined by the momentum operator and a potential term defined by the position operator. The validity of effective models of different sophistication levels and their potential application in treating various physical aspects are numerically discussed.

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