Temporal control of graphene plasmons

TL;DR

This paper develops a theoretical framework for controlling graphene plasmons through temporal modulation of carrier density, enabling wave direction control and amplification, with validation via Maxwell simulations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel theory for time-modulated graphene plasmons, demonstrating control over wave propagation and amplification.

Findings

Temporal modulation can generate backward and standing plasmon waves.

Modulation on the plasmonic timescale enables amplification of plasmons.

Theoretical results agree well with Maxwell simulations.

Abstract

Electrostatic gating and optical pumping schemes enable efficient time modulation of graphene's free carrier density, or Drude weight. We develop a theory for plasmon propagation in graphene under temporal modulation. When the modulation is on the timescale of the plasmonic period, we show that it is possible to create a backwards-propagating or standing plasmon wave and to amplify plasmons. The theoretical models show very good agreement with direct Maxwell simulations.