Title:  Graphite, Graphene and Relativistic Electrons

Eva Y. Andrei, Rutgers University

The recent discovery of graphene (a single layer of graphite) has opened the
way to bench-top studies of quasi-particles whose properties are governed by
quantum-relativistic dynamics (Dirac fermions). I will describe scanning
tunneling spectroscopy and transport experiments that give direct access to
their unique properties. Our findings include evidence for their chiral
nature, zero mass and constant speed. When placed in proximity to a
superconducting electrode we find that the Dirac fermions can carry a
supercurrent and exhibit a rich variety of phenomena characteristic of
macroscopic coherent transport.