Tunable hybridization of electronic states of graphene and a metal surface

We present an approach to monitor and control the strength of the hybridization between electronic states of graphene and metal surfaces. Inspecting the distribution of the $\pi$ band in a high-quality graphene layer synthesized on Ni(111) by angle-resolved photoemission, we observe a new "kink" feature which indicates a strong hybridization between $\pi$ and \textit{d} states of graphene and nickel, respectively. Upon deposition and gradual intercalation of potassium atoms into the graphene/Ni(111) interface, the "kink" feature becomes less pronounced pointing at potassium mediated attenuation of the interaction between the graphene and the substrate.