Repository logo
 

Graphene based plasmonic terahertz amplitude modulator operating above 100 MHz

Published version
Peer-reviewed

Repository DOI


Type

Article

Change log

Authors

Jessop, DS 
Kindness, SJ 
Xiao, L 
Braeuninger-Weimer, Philipp  ORCID logo  https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8677-1647
Lin, H 

Abstract

The terahertz (THz) region of the electromagnetic spectrum holds great potential in many fields of study, from spectroscopy to biomedical imaging, remote gas sensing, and high speed communication. To fully exploit this potential, fast optoelectronic devices such as amplitude and phase modulators must be developed. In this work, we present a room temperature external THz amplitude modulator based on plasmonic bow-tie antenna arrays with graphene. By applying a modulating bias to a back gate electrode, the conductivity of graphene is changed, which modifies the reflection characteristics of the incoming THz radiation. The broadband response of the device was characterized by using THz time-domain spectroscopy, and the modulation characteristics such as the modulation depth and cut-off frequency were investigated with a 2.0 THz single frequency emission quantum cascade laser. An optical modulation cut-off frequency of 105 ± 15 MHz is reported. The results agree well with a lumped element circuit model developed to describe the device.

Description

Keywords

5108 Quantum Physics, 40 Engineering, 51 Physical Sciences, 4018 Nanotechnology, 5104 Condensed Matter Physics

Journal Title

Applied Physics Letters

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0003-6951
1077-3118

Volume Title

108

Publisher

American Institute of Physics
Sponsorship
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/K016636/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/L019922/1)
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EP/J017671/1)
R.D., Y.R., H.E.B., and D.A.R. acknowledge financial support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (Grant No. EP/J017671/1, Coherent Terahertz Systems). P.B.-W. and S.H. acknowledge financial support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (Grant Nos. EP/K016636/1, GRAPHTED). H.L. and J.A.Z. acknowledge financial support from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (Grant No. EP/L019922/1).