The topology of moiré superlattices is well described through a dislocation understanding that separates regions of equivalent stacking. Additionally, structural relaxation changes the spatial electronic properties that lead to superconductivity. We develop a linear elastic theory of interlayer dislocations that utilizes the topology of moiré superlattices to find the structural relaxation of bilayer graphene. Our model can be used to engineer the structure of layered van der Waals materials through dislocation dynamics simulations as well as efficiently calculating the structure of simulations that otherwise have millions of atoms.

Emil Annevelink

University of Illinois