Nonlinear light mixing by graphene plasmons

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a novel nonlinear electro-absorption effect in nanostructured graphene caused by graphene plasmons, leading to enhanced nonlinear light mixing with potential applications in photonic devices.

Contribution

It reports the first experimental observation and theoretical explanation of enhanced nonlinear mixing in graphene nanoribbons due to plasmon excitation.

Findings

Enhanced nonlinear mixing of near- and mid-infrared light in graphene nanoribbons.

Non-local nonlinear response orders of magnitude larger than conventional graphene nonlinearity.

Potential applications in nonlinear light modulation and sensing devices.

Abstract

Graphene is known to possess strong optical nonlinearity. Its nonlinear response can be further enhanced by graphene plasmons. Here, we report a novel nonlinear electro-absorption effect observed in nanostructured graphene due to excitation of graphene plasmons. We experimentally detect and theoretically explain enhanced nonlinear mixing of near-infrared and mid-infrared light in arrays of graphene nanoribbons. Strong compression of light by graphene plasmons implies that the effect is non-local in nature and orders of magnitude larger than the conventional local graphene nonlinearity. The effect can be used in variety of applications including nonlinear light modulators, light multiplexors, light logic, and sensing devices.