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Tunable pattern-free graphene nanoplasmonic waveguides on trenched silicon substrate
Jiajiu Zheng1, Longhai Yu1, Sailing He1
1Centre for Optical and Electromagnetic Research, State Key Laboratory for Modern Optical Instrumentation, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory for Sensing Technologies, Zhejiang University, Zijingang Campus, Hangzhou 310058, China.
Scientific Reports
|January 24, 2015
Summary
We developed a novel graphene plasmonic waveguide (GPWG) that avoids edge effects for mid-infrared applications. This pattern-free design offers tunable light manipulation with low voltage, ideal for compact photonic circuits.
Area of Science:
- Plasmonics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Graphene is a promising material for active plasmonic devices in the mid-infrared (MIR) due to its tunability and strong light confinement.
- Existing graphene plasmonic waveguides (GPWGs) often use patterned graphene ribbons, which suffer from detrimental edge effects.
- There is a need for efficient, pattern-free GPWG designs for on-chip integration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and investigate a novel, pattern-free graphene plasmonic waveguide (GPWG) for MIR applications.
- To demonstrate significant modulation of phase shift and propagation loss using a low bias voltage.
- To explore the potential for ultra-small optical modulators and switches in photonic integrated circuits.
Main Methods:
- Design of a novel nanoplasmonic waveguide featuring a pattern-free graphene monolayer atop a nano-trench.
- Numerical investigation of the waveguide's optical properties, including light confinement, loss, and group velocity.
- Analysis of the modulation capabilities by applying a single low bias voltage.
Main Results:
- The proposed pattern-free GPWG achieves nanoscale light confinement and relatively low propagation loss.
- A significant modulation of phase shift and propagation loss is achieved over a broad band with a single low bias voltage.
- The waveguide exhibits tunable slow light, indicating strong light-matter interaction.
Conclusions:
- The novel pattern-free graphene plasmonic waveguide offers a promising solution for active plasmonic devices in the MIR region.
- Its ability to provide significant tunable modulation with low voltage makes it attractive for ultra-small optical modulators and switches.
- The demonstrated tunable slow light and strong light-matter interaction open avenues for advanced photonic integrated circuits and nonlinear optics.
