Zitterbewegung (trembling motion) of electrons in semiconductors: a review.

We review recent research on Zitterbewegung (ZB, trembling motion) of electrons in semiconductors. A brief history of the subject is presented, the trembling motion in semi-relativistic and spin systems is considered and its main features are emphasized. ZB of charge carriers in monolayer and bilayer graphene as well as in carbon nanotubes is elaborated in some detail. We describe the effects of an external magnetic field on ZB using monolayer graphene as an example. The nature of electron ZB in crystalline solids is explained. We also review various simulations of the trembling motion in a vacuum and in semiconductors, and mention ZB-like wave phenomena in sonic and photonic periodic structures. An attempt is made to quote all the relevant literature on the subject.