Optically Induced Magnetic Moments In Symmetric Graphene Quantum Dots

Using the tight-binding model, we classify the eigenstates of symmetric graphene quantum dots based on their discrete rotational symmetry. In the presence of an external magnetic field, we identify a Zeeman-like behavior arising from the electronic orbital wave functions, with a constant g value for a variety of quantum dot shapes, sizes, and edge structures. The discrete rotational symmetry of the dots also leads to anomalous optical selection rules, thereby suggesting a way to optically induce a magnetic moment in these nanostructures.