Time- and Space-Modulated Raman Signals in Graphene-based Optical Cavities

TL;DR

This paper reports on the fabrication and optical characterization of graphene-based micro-cavities that enable spatial and temporal modulation of Raman signals, enhancing sensitivity for molecular detection.

Contribution

It introduces a novel graphene cantilever cavity design that allows for tunable, space- and time-modulated Raman signals with potential applications in sensitive molecular sensing.

Findings

Interference fringes observed in Raman and Rayleigh signals

Cavity tuning via electrostatic actuation modulates signals

Enhanced Raman detection of molecules on graphene surface

Abstract

We present fabrication and optical characterization of micro-cavities made of multilayer graphene (MLG) cantilevers clamped by metallic electrodes and suspended over Si/Si02 substrate. Graphene cantilevers act as a semi-transparent mirrors closing an air-wedge optical cavity. This simple geometry implements a standing-wave optical resonator along with a mechanical one. Equal thickness interference fringes are observed in both Raman and Rayleigh backscattered signals with interfringe given by their specific wavelength.Chromatic dispersion within the cavity makes possible spatial modulation of graphene Raman lines and selective rejection of the silicon background signals. Electrostatic actuation of the multilayer graphene cantilever by gate voltage tunes the cavity length and induces space and time modulation of backscattered light including Raman lines. We demonstrate the potential of those systems for high sensitivity Raman measurements of generic molecular species grafted on multilayer graphene surface. The Raman signal of the molecular layer can be modulated both in time and in space in a similar fashion and show enhancement with respect to a collapsed membrane.