The electron states of a finite-width graphene sheet in the presence of an electrostatic confining potential and a perpendicular magnetic field are investigated. The confining potential shifts the Landau levels inside the well and creates current-carrying states at or close to the interface with the potential barriers in addition to the edge states caused by the finite width of the sheet. Detailed energy spectra are given as a function of the quantum wire parameters. The dependence of the density of states on the confinement potential is evaluated for finite and zero magnetic fields.

• Received 5 October 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.75.125433