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Long-range surface plasmon-induced tunable ultralow threshold optical bistability using graphene sheets at terahertz
Applied Optics
|April 5, 2017
Summary
Researchers propose a new method for optical bistability using graphene, significantly lowering the switching threshold to 143.68 W/cm². This advancement enables ultra-low threshold all-optical switching and optical memory applications.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Condensed Matter Physics
Background:
- Optical bistability is crucial for all-optical switching and optical memory.
- Existing terahertz (THz) and near-infrared (near-IR) optical bistability schemes require high threshold intensities.
- Graphene's unique electronic properties offer potential for novel optical devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analytically investigate optical bistability at ultralow switching thresholds.
- To explore the use of graphene's lower Fermi-level around 2 THz.
- To propose a novel long-range surface plasmon resonance (LR-SPR) configuration.
Main Methods:
- Analytical implementation of optical bistability using LR-SPR.
- Employing local field enhancement effects via graphene symmetric mode excitation.
- Investigating graphene's properties at a 2 THz frequency.
Main Results:
- Achieved a significantly reduced switching threshold intensity of 143.68 W/cm².
- Demonstrated a substantial reduction compared to previous thresholds (1.6 kW/cm² in THz, 1.83 MW/cm² in near-IR).
- Utilized local field enhancement for improved optical bistability performance.
Conclusions:
- The proposed scheme offers a pathway to ultralow threshold optical bistability.
- This technique has potential applications in nanoillumination, optical memory, and all-optical switching.
- Graphene-based LR-SPR configurations are promising for next-generation photonic devices.