Nonlinear quantum optical properties of graphene: the role of chirality and symmetry

TL;DR

This paper develops a semiclassical theory revealing that graphene's chiral symmetry and scale invariance lead to a remarkably strong nonlinear optical response, with tunable properties via gate voltage.

Contribution

It introduces the first explicit derivation of graphene's nonlinear optical response considering chiral symmetry and scale invariance, highlighting the dominant mechanisms involved.

Findings

Graphene exhibits a Kerr nonlinear coefficient several orders of magnitude higher than many semiconductors.

The nonlinear refractive index of graphene can be tuned and enhanced by gate voltage.

Explicit expressions for linear and nonlinear conductivity tensors are derived based on Semiconductor Bloch Equations.

Abstract

We present a semiclassical theory of linear and nonlinear optical response of graphene. The emphasis is placed on the nonlinear optical response of graphene from the standpoint of the underlying chiral symmetry. The Bloch quasiparticles in low energy limit, around the degeneracy points are dominantly chiral. It is shown for the first time that this chiral behavior in conjunction with scale invariance in graphene around the Dirac points results in the strong nonlinear optical response. Explicit expressions for the linear and nonlinear conductivity tensors are derived based on Semiconductor Bloch Equations (SBEs). The linear terms agree with the result of Kubo formulation. The three main additive mechanisms contribute in the nonlinear optical response of graphene: pure intraband, pure interband and the interplay between them. For each contribution, an explicit response function is derived. The Kerr-type nonlinearity of graphene is then studied and it is demonstrated that its Kerr nonlinear coefficient is several orders of magnitude higher than that of many other known semiconductors. In addition, the nonlinear refractive index of graphene can also be tuned and enhanced by applying a gate voltage.