Electrons flowing through graphene valleys, controlled by electric fields.

Graphene's Next-Gen Tech: Valleytronics Unlocked

Theo Raines in Tech & Innovation December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Harnessing Electrostatic Potentials for Ultra-Efficient Electronics"

Imagine a world where electronics are faster, more efficient, and use entirely new ways to process information. That's the promise of valleytronics, a cutting-edge field that seeks to harness the unique properties of electrons in materials like graphene. Instead of just using the charge of electrons (like in traditional electronics), valleytronics focuses on their 'valley' degree of freedom – a quantum property related to their momentum.

In graphene, electrons can exist in two distinct 'valleys,' offering a new way to encode and manipulate data, much like the spin of electrons is used in spintronics. The challenge? Finding practical ways to control and manipulate these valley currents to build real-world devices. Recent research offers a major breakthrough: using strong electrostatic potentials to create valley filters and valves in graphene.

This article delves into this exciting discovery, explaining how scientists are using electric fields to precisely control the flow of electrons by valley, potentially paving the way for ultra-efficient transistors and other advanced electronic components.

Valley Filter and Valve Effect: How It Works

Electrons flowing through graphene valleys, controlled by electric fields.

The core idea revolves around creating strong electrostatic potential barriers in a sheet of graphene. These barriers, generated by applying a voltage, act like tiny roadblocks for electrons. However, unlike ordinary roadblocks, these barriers affect electrons differently depending on which 'valley' they occupy.

Imagine sorting marbles rolling down a track, directing the marbles into different lanes based on a specific property. A single, strong electrostatic potential barrier can essentially block one valley of electrons while allowing the other to pass through. This is crucial because the block changes based on the sign of the potential barrier (positive or negative) and the electron's direction.

A single, strong electrostatic potential can block one valley but allow the other to flow through.
The effect depends on the sign of the potential barrier.
The direction of electron flow influences which valley is blocked.

Building on this concept, scientists can create a 'valley valve' by combining two independent potential barriers. By carefully controlling the voltages applied to these barriers, they can either completely block or completely allow the flow of electronic current. In ideal scenarios, this valley-valve efficiency can reach 100%, meaning complete control over the electron flow.

The Future of Valleytronics

This research provides a simple electrical method for controlling valley transport in graphene. It offers a practical route toward building valleytronic devices without relying on external magnetic fields or complex materials processing, which are required for spintronics.

The ability to manipulate electron flow at the valley level opens the door to a whole new generation of electronic devices. Imagine transistors that are far more energy-efficient, quantum computers that operate at room temperature, and sensors with unprecedented sensitivity.

While challenges remain in scaling up these technologies and integrating them into existing electronics, this breakthrough represents a significant step forward in realizing the full potential of graphene and valleytronics. With continued research and development, valleytronics promises to revolutionize the future of electronics.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1038/s41598-017-10460-5, Alternate LINK

Title: Valley Filter And Valve Effect By Strong Electrostatic Potentials In Graphene

Subject: Multidisciplinary

Journal: Scientific Reports

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Juan Juan Wang, Su Liu, Jun Wang, Jun-Feng Liu

Published: 2017-08-31

Everything You Need To Know

What is valleytronics?

Valleytronics is a field that explores using the 'valley' degree of freedom of electrons in materials like graphene to encode and manipulate data. Unlike traditional electronics that rely on the charge of electrons, valleytronics utilizes the quantum property related to their momentum, enabling new ways to process information. This approach could lead to faster and more efficient electronic devices.

How does graphene fit into valleytronics?

In graphene, electrons exist in two distinct 'valleys,' offering a novel way to encode and manipulate data. Scientists have discovered a method to control the electron flow in graphene using strong electrostatic potentials. This discovery is significant because it allows for the creation of valley filters and valves, which can precisely control the flow of electrons by valley, potentially leading to ultra-efficient transistors and other advanced electronic components.

What is a valley filter and how does it work?

A valley filter in graphene is created by applying a strong electrostatic potential barrier. This barrier acts like a roadblock for electrons, but it affects electrons differently depending on which 'valley' they occupy. Essentially, a single barrier can block one valley of electrons while allowing the other to pass through. The effect depends on the sign of the potential barrier and the direction of the electron flow.

What is a valley valve and how does it work?

A valley valve is created by combining two independent electrostatic potential barriers. By carefully controlling the voltages applied to these barriers, scientists can control the electronic current flow by either blocking it completely or allowing it to pass through. The efficiency of this valley valve can reach 100% in ideal scenarios, providing complete control over electron flow, which can lead to efficient devices.

Why is this discovery important?

This research is important because it offers a practical method for controlling valley transport in graphene using simple electrical methods. This avoids the need for external magnetic fields or complex materials processing, which are often required in spintronics. This advancement simplifies the creation of valleytronic devices and opens the door for ultra-efficient transistors and other advanced electronic components, potentially revolutionizing electronics.