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Current-driven nonequilibrium electrodynamics in graphene revealed by nano-infrared imaging
Y Dong1,2, Z Sun3, I Y Phinney4,5
1Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA. yd2400@columbia.edu.
Nature Communications
|April 24, 2025
Summary
Electrons in graphene exhibit high-energy physics effects like Cherenkov and Schwinger phenomena. These lead to novel photocurrents, expanding photoelectric effects in nanoscale light-matter interactions.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Nanoscience
- High-Energy Physics Analogues
Background:
- Electrons in low-dimensional materials driven out of equilibrium by electric fields show effects analogous to high-energy physics.
- Graphene, a 2D material, provides a platform to study these phenomena.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate Cherenkov and Schwinger effects in graphene.
- To investigate their implications for nanoscale light-matter interactions and photocurrent generation.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing nano-infrared imaging.
- Studying electron dynamics in doped and charge-neutral graphene under electric fields.
Main Results:
- Observed Cherenkov emission of phonons in doped graphene, inducing asymmetric plasmon damping and photocurrent.
- Observed Schwinger effect in charge-neutral graphene, generating photocurrent from infrared photons.
- Demonstrated novel photocurrents distinct from existing light-to-current conversion mechanisms.
Conclusions:
- Graphene exhibits Cherenkov and Schwinger effects with unique photocurrent generation.
- These findings expand the understanding of photoelectric effects in solid-state devices.
- Provides insights into current-driven nonequilibrium electrodynamics in graphene.
