Theory of Edge Effects and Conductance for Applications in Graphene-based Nanoantennas

TL;DR

This paper develops a self-consistent theory of edge effects in graphene, focusing on dynamical conductance for nanoantenna applications across terahertz to visible frequencies, highlighting spatial oscillations and electrochemical control.

Contribution

It introduces a novel nonlocal, nonhomogeneous conductance model based on Dirac fermions, advancing the understanding of edge effects in graphene nanoantennas.

Findings

Conductance exhibits spatial oscillations for short graphene lengths.

Model aligns with classical Drude conductivity for lengths over 800 nm.

Electrochemical potential influences oscillation period and amplitude.

Abstract

In this paper, we develop a theory of edge effects in graphene for its applications to nanoantennas in the terahertz, infrared, and visible frequency ranges. Its characteristic feature is selfconsistence reached due the formulation in terms of dynamical conductance instead of ordinary used surface conductivity. The physical model of edge effects is based on using the concept of Dirac fermions. The surface conductance is considered as a general susceptibility and is calculated via the Kubo approach. In contrast with earlier models, the surface conductance becomes nonhomogeneous and nonlocal. The spatial behavior of the surface conductance depends on the length of the sheet and the electrochemical potential. Results of numerical simulations are presented for lengths in the range of 2.1-800 nm and electrochemical potentials ranging between 0.1-1.0 eV. It is shown that if the length exceeded 800 nm, our model agrees with the classical Drude conductivity model with a relatively high degree of accuracy. For rather short lengths, the conductance usually exhibits spatial oscillations, which absent in conductivity and strongly affect the properties of graphene based antennas. The period and amplitude of such spatial oscillations, strongly depend on the electrochemical potential. The new theory opens the way for realizing electrically controlled nanoantennas by changing the electrochemical potential may of the gate voltage. The obtained results may be applicable for the design of carbon based nanodevices in modern quantum technologies.