Optical trapping of electrons in graphene

We propose an experimentally friendly scheme for trapping quasi- relativistic elec- trons in graphene by an electromagnetic beam with circular polarization and spatially inhomogeneous profile with an intensity dip. The trapping is achieved due to the ef- fect of bandgap opening outside the trapping region. The proposed mechanism allows for non- invasive electron confinement in graphene without any need of the chemical patterning of the sample or the application of metallic gates.