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Applied optics. Gain modulation by graphene plasmons in aperiodic lattice lasers
S Chakraborty1, O P Marshall2, T G Folland3
1School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK. s.chakraborty@manchester.ac.uk kostya@manchester.ac.uk.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|January 28, 2016
Summary
Researchers developed tunable graphene plasmon lasers for fast, compact photonic devices. By controlling graphene doping, they reversibly altered terahertz quantum cascade laser emission, paving the way for programmable metamaterials.
Area of Science:
- Photonics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Graphene plasmons offer tunable properties unlike other materials, enabling novel photonic device applications.
- Terahertz quantum cascade lasers (TQCLs) are key components in terahertz technology, but their emission control is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate a novel graphene plasmon laser capable of tunable emission.
- To integrate electrically controllable graphene into TQCLs for dynamic spectral control.
Main Methods:
- Excitation of graphene plasmons within an aperiodic lattice laser structure.
- Engineering of photon lifetimes to link graphene's Fermi energy with round-trip gain.
- Utilizing the sensitivity of modal gain to graphene doping levels for spectral tuning.
Main Results:
- Successful demonstration of the integrated graphene plasmon laser principle.
- Reversible alteration of TQCL emission by tuning graphene doping levels.
- Observation of high sensitivity of laser spectra to the doping of the integrated graphene layer.
Conclusions:
- The developed technology enables fast, compact, and inexpensive active photonic elements.
- This work lays the foundation for a new generation of active, programmable plasmonic metamaterials.
- Significant implications for photonics, material sciences, and nanotechnology are anticipated.
