2D materials coupled to hybrid metal-dielectric waveguides for THz technology

TL;DR

This paper introduces hybrid metal-dielectric waveguides coupled with 2D materials like graphene, enabling strong THz light-matter interaction, modulation, and potential lasing, compatible with existing semiconductor technologies.

Contribution

It proposes a novel waveguide design that enhances THz interactions with 2D materials and demonstrates tunable modulation and lasing potential.

Findings

100% THz light modulation via Fermi level tuning of graphene

Maximized in-plane electric fields at the dielectric surface

Potential for THz lasing with graphene multilayers

Abstract

In this letter, we propose hybrid metal-dielectric waveguides coupled to 2D materials that provide strong light-matter interaction at THz frequencies. We investigate the properties of the fundamental propagating modes and show that the strength of in-plane electric field components is maximized at the top of the dielectric strip on which the 2D material is deposited. Our simulation predicts 100 % modulation of THz light by tuning the Fermi level of a graphene sheet deposited onto a 1mm-long waveguide. We also show the potential of graphene multilayers coupled to these waveguides for achieving lasing at THz frequency. Our approach is compatible with CMOS or THz quantum cascade laser technologies.