Epsilon-Near-Zero behavior from plasmonic Dirac point: theory and realization using two-dimensional materials

TL;DR

This paper explores how two-dimensional materials like graphene can be used to create metamaterials exhibiting Epsilon-Near-Zero behavior through plasmonic Dirac points, with potential applications in controlling electromagnetic waves.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical framework and practical design approach for realizing ENZ metamaterials using 2D materials and layered dielectrics.

Findings

Graphene-based structures can emulate ENZ behavior via plasmonic Dirac points.

Design principles for metamaterials with various dispersion relations are proposed.

Sensitivity of ENZ behavior to structural imperfections is analyzed.

Abstract

The electromagnetic response of a two-dimensional metal embedded in a periodic array of a dielectric host can give rise to a plasmonic Dirac point that emulates Epsilon-Near-Zero (ENZ) behavior. This theoretical result is extremely sensitive to tructural features like periodicity of the dielectric medium and thickness imperfections. We propose that such a device can actually be realized by using graphene as the 2D metal and materials like the layered semiconducting transition-metal dichalcogenides or hexagonal boron nitride as the dielectric host. We propose a systematic approach, in terms of design characteristics, for constructing metamaterials with linear, elliptical and hyperbolic dispersion relations which produce ENZ behavior, normal or negative diffraction.