Graphene-based long-wave infrared TM surface plasmon modulator
We describe theoretically a new long-wave infrared optical modulator based on the characteristics of TMsurface plasmons in graphene. Calculations made using a finite-τ randomphase approximation model, of relevant surface
plasmon propagationparameters, are presented. We show that the plasmon losses vary as afunction of carrier density; for large carrier densities, interbandabsorption of the plasmon energy is blocked due to filling of theconduction band states, and for small carrier densities, the plasmonenergy is absorbed
Graphene monolayers have recently beenused as saturable absorbers for modelocking ultrafast fiber lasers [11,12]. In this work, the saturable absorption also occurs as a result ofthe state blocking mechansim. Although a significant modification ofour physical picture through the addition of phonon scattering andpossibly other mechanisms would be required to model this wavelengthrange appropriately, it may be possible to extend the modulator discussed here to shorter (telecommunication) wavelengths.
11. Q. Bao, H. Zhang, Y. Wang, Z. Ni, Y. Yan, Z. X. Shen, K. P. Loh, and D. Y. Tang,
“Atomic-layer graphene as a saturable absorber for ultrafast pulsed lasers,” Adv. Functional
Materials 19, 3077–3083 (2009).
12. H. Zhang, D. Y. Tang, L. M. Zhao, Q. L. Bao, and K. P. Loh, “Large energy mode
locking of an erbium-doped fiber laser with atomic layer graphene,” Optics Express 17, 17630–17635 (2009).
Graphene-based long-wave infrared TM surface plasm
plasmon propagationparameters, are presented. We show that the plasmon losses vary as afunction of carrier density; for large carrier densities, interbandabsorption of the plasmon energy is blocked due to filling of theconduction band states, and for small carrier densities, the plasmonenergy is absorbed
Graphene monolayers have recently beenused as saturable absorbers for modelocking ultrafast fiber lasers [11,12]. In this work, the saturable absorption also occurs as a result ofthe state blocking mechansim. Although a significant modification ofour physical picture through the addition of phonon scattering andpossibly other mechanisms would be required to model this wavelengthrange appropriately, it may be possible to extend the modulator discussed here to shorter (telecommunication) wavelengths.
11. Q. Bao, H. Zhang, Y. Wang, Z. Ni, Y. Yan, Z. X. Shen, K. P. Loh, and D. Y. Tang,
“Atomic-layer graphene as a saturable absorber for ultrafast pulsed lasers,” Adv. Functional
Materials 19, 3077–3083 (2009).
12. H. Zhang, D. Y. Tang, L. M. Zhao, Q. L. Bao, and K. P. Loh, “Large energy mode
locking of an erbium-doped fiber laser with atomic layer graphene,” Optics Express 17, 17630–17635 (2009).
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