Terahertz surface plasmons in optically pumped graphene structures

We analyze the surface plasmons (SPs) propagating along optically pumped single-graphene layer (SGL) and multiple-graphene layer (MGL) structures. It is shown that at sufficiently strong optical pumping when the real part of the dynamic conductivity of SGL and MGL structures becomes negative in the...

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Published inJournal of physics. Condensed matter Vol. 23; no. 14; pp. 145302 - 8
Main Authors Dubinov, A A, Aleshkin, V Ya, Mitin, V, Otsuji, T, Ryzhii, V
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published England IOP Publishing 13.04.2011
Subjects
Amplification
Condensed matter
Damping
Gain
Graphene
Optical pumping
Plasmons
Spark plasma sintering
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Summary:We analyze the surface plasmons (SPs) propagating along optically pumped single-graphene layer (SGL) and multiple-graphene layer (MGL) structures. It is shown that at sufficiently strong optical pumping when the real part of the dynamic conductivity of SGL and MGL structures becomes negative in the terahertz (THz) range of frequencies due to the interband population inversion, the damping of the THz SPs can give way to their amplification. This effect can be used in graphene-based THz lasers and other devices. Due to the relatively small SP group velocity, the absolute value of their absorption coefficient (SP gain) can be large, substantially exceeding that of optically pumped structures with dielectric waveguides. A comparison of SGL and MGL structures shows that to maximize the SP gain the number of graphene layers should be properly chosen.
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ISSN:0953-8984
1361-648X
DOI:10.1088/0953-8984/23/14/145302