Vector plasmonic lattice solitons in nonlinear graphene-pair arrays

Area of Science:

• Photonics and Nanomaterials
• Nonlinear Optics
• Condensed Matter Physics

Background:

• Surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) enable light confinement on the nanoscale.
• Graphene's tunable nonlinear properties are crucial for optical applications.
• Plasmonic lattice structures offer unique light-matter interaction possibilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate vector plasmonic lattice solitons (PLSs) in nonlinear graphene-pair arrays (GPAs).
• To explore the self-trapping dynamics and spatial confinement of these vector PLSs.
• To assess the potential for all-optical control at deep-subwavelength scales.

Main Methods:

• Theoretical analysis of Bloch modes in coupled graphene-pair arrays.
• Numerical simulations of vector soliton propagation and self-trapping.
• Investigation of nonlinear interactions between different dispersion bands.

Main Results:

• Two dispersion bands arise from coupled surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) in GPAs.
• Vector PLSs composed of two components are formed via nonlinear interactions.
• Mutual self-trapping of vector PLSs is achieved by balancing diffraction and nonlinearity.
• Deep-subwavelength confinement of vector PLSs to approximately λ/100 lateral width is demonstrated.

Conclusions:

• Nonlinear graphene-pair arrays support robust vector plasmonic lattice solitons.
• The demonstrated self-trapping and confinement pave the way for nanoscale optical devices.
• This research offers a promising avenue for all-optical control on a deep-subwavelength scale.