Quantum Coherence Protection in Strained Graphene: A Generalized Critical Velocity Framework.

This work presents a theoretical model extending the concept of critical velocity in quantum systems to include the effects of internal symmetries found in advanced materials such as graphene. Building upon the de Broglie relation, a quantum protection factor κ ∈ [0,1) is introduced to account for structural or topological shielding from decoherence. The effective critical velocity is modified to:v_c^eff = h / [mL(1 - κ)] Applying this framework to strained graphene, where electrons acquire a small effective mass and coherence is protected by chirality and sublattice symmetry, it is shown that coherence can persist at velocities well above classical thresholds. This generalized model provides a quantitative method to assess decoherence resistance in symmetry-protected quantum materials.