Helicity sensitive plasmonic teraherts interferometer

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a graphene-based plasmonic interferometer that converts circularly polarized terahertz radiation into a phase-sensitive dc signal, enabling phase difference measurements and helicity detection in 2D materials.

Contribution

It introduces a novel helicity-sensitive plasmonic interferometer using graphene transistors with asymmetric antennas for phase and polarization detection.

Findings

Helicity- and phase-sensitive conversion of circularly polarized radiation into dc photovoltage.

Interference of plasma waves in the transistor channel causes the effect.

The device can measure phase differences between optical signals.

Abstract

Plasmonic interferometry is a rapidly growing area of research with a huge potential for applications in terahertz frequency range. In this Letter, we explore a plasmonic interferometer based on graphene Field Effect Transistor connected to specially designed antennas. As a key result, we observe helicity- and phase-sensitive conversion of circularly-polarized radiation into dc photovoltage caused by the plasmon-interference mechanism: two plasma waves, excited at the source and drain part of the transistor interfere inside the channel. The helicity sensitive phase shift between these waves is achieved by using an asymmetric antenna configuration. The dc signal changes sign with inversion of the helicity. Suggested plasmonic interferometer is capable for measuring of phase difference between two arbitrary phase-shifted optical signals. The observed effect opens a wide avenue for phase-sensisitve probing of plasma wave excitations in two-dimensional materials.