Laser-induced effects on the electronic features of graphene nanoribbons

TL;DR

This study explores how laser illumination affects the electronic properties of graphene nanoribbons, revealing tunable effects like bandgap opening and conductance modulation based on device geometry and laser parameters.

Contribution

It demonstrates the ability to control electronic features of graphene nanoribbons using laser parameters and device geometry, offering insights for optoelectronic device design.

Findings

Laser can induce bandgaps or depletions at specific energies.

Electronic structure can be unaffected or modified depending on setup.

Conductance can be switched on and off via polarization direction.

Abstract

We study the interplay between lateral confinement and photon-induced processes on the electronic properties of illuminated graphene nanoribbons. We find that by tuning the device setup (edges geometries, ribbon width and polarization direction), a laser with frequency {\Omega} may either not affect the electronic structure, or induce bandgaps or depletions at \hbar {\Omega}/2, and/or at other energies not commensurate with half the photon energy. Similar features are also observed in the dc conductance, suggesting the use of the polarization direction to switch on and off the graphene device. Our results could guide the design of novel types of optoelectronic nano-devices.