All-Plasmonic Switching Effect in the Graphene Nanostructures Containing Quantum Emitters

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Two-dimensional (2D) materials with quantum emitters offer potential for advanced plasmonic devices.
• Strong coupling between surface plasmon-polaritons (SPPs) and quantum emitters is key for novel functionalities.
• Graphene waveguides provide a platform for manipulating light at the nanoscale.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate strong coupling between SPPs and quantum emitters in a graphene waveguide.
• To explore nonlinear interactions between SPPs in a graphene waveguide integrated with a nanoresonator.
• To optimize parameters for a plasmonic switching device utilizing core-shell semiconductor nanowires (NWs).

Main Methods:

• Utilized 2D full-wave electromagnetic simulations.
• Investigated transmittance regimes of a graphene stub nanoresonator loaded with core-shell NWs.
• Analyzed SPP interaction with interband and intraband transitions in NWs.

Main Results:

• Achieved destructive interference, reducing signal SPP transmittance to <7% without pump SPP.
• Demonstrated constructive interference with pump SPP activation, enhancing signal SPP transmittance to 93%.
• Observed plasmonic switching at 50 GHz with signal SPP localized in a 20 nm graphene stub.

Conclusions:

• Strong coupling enables efficient control of SPP propagation in graphene waveguides.
• The proposed device acts as a fast all-plasmonic switch with high on/off contrast.
• This technology platform holds promise for developing ultrafast all-plasmonic triggers, transistors, and sensors.