Fermi Energy Level Of Graphene Research Articles

Graphene and Vanadium Dioxide-Based Terahertz Absorber with Switchable Multifunctionality for Band Selection Applications

This study proposes a multifunctional absorber in the terahertz (THz) regime based on vanadium dioxide (VO2) and graphene with either–or band selector applications, which can be realized by electrically and thermally controlling the Fermi energy level of graphene and vanadium dioxide, respectively. The broadband absorption can be achieved with absorptance exceeding 90%, when the VO2 film is in the metallic phase and the Fermi energy levels of the upper and lower graphene layers are simultaneously set to 0.6 and 0 eV, respectively. The double narrowband can be realized when the VO2 film is in the insulating phase and the Fermi energy levels in upper and lower graphene layers are set as 0 and 0.8 eV, respectively. By flexibly shifting between the broadband and the double narrowband, the proposed absorber can be used as an either–or band selector, corresponding optional bandwidth from 2.05 to 2.35 THz, and 3.25 to 3.6 THz. Furthermore, single narrowband absorption can be achieved by setting the conductivity of the VO2 film to appropriate values. The proposed absorber can be used in the THz regime in applications such as multifunctional devices, switches, cloaking objects, and band selectors.

Triple-band graphene-based tunable electromagnetically induced transparency terahertz metamaterial with multi-frequency optical switching

A simple graphene-based terahertz metamaterial with the composite patterns of a π-shaped and a strip-shaped is proposed for realizing the electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) effect. Three efficient transparent peaks with the average transparency strength of >85 % are achieved. The physical mechanism of the formation of the triple-band EIT effect is illustrated by the transmission spectra combined with the electric field diagrams of the transparent window and the transmission dip. Interestingly, upon changing the position of the strip-shape graphene and the distance between the vertical graphene, the triple-band EIT effect shifts to a dual-band and a single-band, respectively, illustrating the reason for the shifts using the electric field of peaks and dips. The Fermi energy level of graphene can be changed by biasing voltage to create a frequency shift of the resonance peaks of the transmission spectrum, and at the same time, six-frequency optical switching can be realized, which has a modulation degree of amplitude (MDA) of 94.6 %, 90.6 %, 98.1 %, 90.5 %, 97.6 %, and 89.4 %, respectively. These results indicate that the proposed multi-band terahertz metamaterials have great potential for applications in fields such as optical switching and sensing.

Dynamically tunable multifunctional terahertz absorber based on hybrid vanadium dioxide and graphene metamaterials.

In this work, in pursuit of a multifunctional device with a simple structure, high absorption rate, and excellent bandwidth, a tunable broadband terahertz (THz) absorber based on vanadium dioxide (V O 2) and graphene is proposed. Due to the phase transition of V O 2 and the electrically tunable properties of graphene, the structure realizes single broadband and dual-band absorption characteristics. When graphene is in the insulating state (E f=0e V) and V O 2 is in the metallic state, the developed system has more than 90% absorption and a wide absorption band from 1.36 to 5.48THz. By adjusting the V O 2 conductivity, the bandwidth absorption can be dynamically varied from 23% to more than 90%, which makes it a perfect broadband absorber. When graphene is in the metallic state (E f=1e V), V O 2 is in the insulating state, and the designed device behaves as a tunable and perfect dual-band absorber, where the absorptivity of the dual-band spectrum can be continuously adjusted by varying the Fermi energy level of graphene. In addition, both the broad absorption spectrum and the dual-band absorption spectrum maintain strong polarization-independent properties and operate well over a wide incidence angle, and the designed system may provide new avenues for the development of terahertz and other frequency-domain tunable devices.

Thermoelectrically Driven Dual-Mechanism Regulation on SERS and Application Potential for Rapid Detection of SARS-CoV-2 Viruses and Microplastics.

Electric-induced surface-enhanced Raman scattering (E-SERS) has been widely studied for its flexible regulation of SERS after the substrate is prepared. However, the enhancement effect is not sufficiently high in the E-SERS technology reported thus far, and no suitable field of application exists. In this study, a highly sensitive thermoelectrically induced SERS substrate, Ag/graphene/ZnO (AGZ), was fabricated using ZnO nanoarrays (NRs), graphene, and Ag nanoparticles (NPs). Applying a temperature gradient to the ZnO NRs enhanced the SERS signals of the probe molecules by a factor of approximately 20. Theoretical and experimental results showed that the thermoelectric potential enables the simultaneous modulation of the Fermi energy level of graphene and the plasma resonance peak of Ag NPs, resulting in a double enhancement in terms of physical and chemical mechanisms. The AGZ substrate was then combined with a mask to create a wearable thermoelectrically enhanced SERS mask for collecting SARS-CoV-2 viruses and microplastics. Its SERS signal can be enhanced by the temperature gradient created between a body heat source (∼37 °C) and a cold environment. The suitability of this method for virus detection was also examined using a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and SARS-CoV-2 virus antigen detection. This work offers new horizons for research of E-SERS, and its application potential for rapid detection of the SARS-CoV-2 virus and microplastics was also studied.

A tunable ultra-broadband and ultra-high sensitivity far-infrared metamaterial absorber based on VO2 and graphene.

We proposed a far-infrared tunable metamaterial absorber using vanadium dioxide (VO2) and graphene as controlling materials. The properties of the absorber are investigated theoretically using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) technique. It was found that when the Fermi energy level of graphene is fixed at zero, VO2 is in the insulated state, and the metasurface exhibits far-infrared broadband absorption performance, with absorptance exceeding 90% in the wavelength range of 12.6 μm to 23.2 μm. In addition, by elevating the Fermi energy level of graphene, the absorption bandwidth of the device is expanded continuously. When the VO2 is in the metallic state, the device can flexibly transform into a far-infrared narrowband absorber. The device also has the advantage of being insensitive to changes in polarization and incident angle. The origin of the absorption and the tuning principle of the device were analyzed and verified successfully by using an equivalent circuit model (ECM). Besides, we also studied the refraction index sensing characteristics of the absorber. Surprisingly, the absorber exhibits excellent sensing characteristics, and its sensitivity (S) reaches 14.108 μm per RIU and the figure of merit (FOM) is 6.13 per RIU.

Dynamically tunable terahertz quadruple-function absorber based on a hybrid configuration of graphene and vanadium dioxide

A quadruple-function dynamically tunable terahertz absorber that uses a hybrid configuration of graphene and vanadium dioxide is proposed in this paper. The absorber achieves dynamic conversion of four functions in one structure: ultra-broadband, broadband, single-frequency narrowband and dual-frequency narrowband, by utilizing the electrical control properties of graphene and the phase-shifting properties of vanadium dioxide. Furthermore, the paper also reveals the physical mechanism of the proposed absorber through the electric field distribution and impedance matching theory. In addition, the influences of the Fermi energy level of graphene and the electrical conductivity of vanadium dioxide on the absorption spectra are investigated, demonstrating the structure’s dynamic tunability. Due to the above features, the designed absorber is expected to have potential applications in terahertz imaging, modulation and filtering.

Tunable ultra-wideband graphene-based filter with a staggered structure.

We present a tunable ultra-wideband band-stop filter utilizing graphene with a straightforward staggered structure. The transmission spectrum has been meticulously analyzed using the effective-index-based transfer matrix method (EIB-TMM). The results demonstrate that the filtering properties can be precisely tailored by manipulating the Fermi energy level of graphene. Importantly, we have successfully achieved a remarkable ultra-wideband stopband by optimizing the staggered parameters. Our exploration of redefining the staggered structure through adjustments to three critical parameters has revealed a crucial role in expanding bandwidth. This investigation deepens our understanding of how nonperiodic structures can effectively broaden bandwidth and holds great promise for the prospective design of ultra-wideband band-stop devices.

Graphene and gold nanoparticles integrated terahertz metasurface for improved sensor sensitivity

Terahertz metamaterial technology, as an efficient nondestructive testing method, has shown great development potential in the detection of biological samples. In this study, we have proposed a graphene-integrated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) terahertz (THz) biosensor and have analyzed the sensing performance of four IC-type resonators (ICSRs) for biosensors: bare ICSRs, ICSRs-integrated AuNPs, ICSRs-integrated graphene, and ICSRs-integrated graphene and AuNPs. The AuNPs generate charge accumulation and induce local electric field enhancement due to the tip effect, and enhance the interaction between the THz wave and the analyte, thus improving the sensitivity of the sensor. The combination of AuNPs and ICSRs-integrated graphene results in sensors with more pronounced amplitude changes and higher sensitivity. Due to the Fermi energy level of graphene being close to the Dirac point, the sensor is ultra-sensitive to external stimuli with a limit of detection of 10.48 fg/ml for aspartic acid solutions. This biosensor has the potential to detect trace amino acids with high sensitivity, contributing to early disease detection and environmental detection for early diagnosis and ecological balance.

Tunable multiband THz perfect absorber due to the strong coupling of distributed Bragg reflector cavity mode and Tamm plasma polaritons modes based on MoS2 and graphene

In this work, we propose a multiband terahertz perfect absorber by combining a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) cavity with molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and graphene. The absorption peak comes from the strong coupling of the DBR cavity mode and the two Tamm plasma polaritons (TPPs) modes. Our numerical simulations demonstrate that the degree of coupling in this hybrid system is tunable by adjusting the structural parameters, thereby allowing for control over the position and intensity of the absorption peaks. Furthermore, utilizing the tunable Fermi energy level of graphene and controlled variation of the molybdenum disulfide carrier concentration enables active switching between absorption-free, dual-band, and triple-band absorption. Additionally, the high absorption efficiency in a wide angular range and sensitivity make this device highly versatile. The coupled harmonic oscillator model is used to explain the strong coupling phenomena of the system. This simple layered structure provides a hybrid coupling system with a controlled number of bands suitable for potential active terahertz optoelectronic devices.

Metamaterial graphene sensors for the detection of two food additives.

Food safety is an important consideration for the food industry and for daily life, and food additives are essential in the modern food industry. Graphene-based metamaterial sensors are of great value and have potential applications in the detection of food additives, due to their ultra-sensitivity. This paper proposes a metasurface sensor consisting of graphene and dual elliptical ring resonators (Gr-DERRs) sensor for the detection of two common food additives. The limit of detection (LOD) for Sudan I solution is 581.43 fg/ml and, for taurine, 52.86 fg/ml. This ultra-sensitive detection is achieved by exploiting the unique electromagnetic properties of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) resonance, together with the Fermi energy level of graphene moving to the Dirac point, resulting in a dramatic change in the dielectric environment. The Gr-DERRs sensor has brings significant improvement in the detection of food additives with detection limits reduced to the femtogram level.

A quintuple plasmon-induced transparency multifunction switch based on the polarization-sensitive graphene-based metamaterial

A monolayer metamaterial consisting of a rectangle graphene strip and four L-shaped graphene blocks was proposed to achieve a quintuple plasmon-induced transparency (quintuple-PIT). The numerical simulation results based on the finite difference time domain method agree well with the calculated results of the coupled mode theory. By modulating the Fermi energy level of graphene, an octuple-frequency asynchronous switch and a sextuple-frequency synchronous switch are designed and studied, which have excellent amplitude modulation degree (up to 97.7%), extinction ratio (up to 16.41 dB), insertion loss (low to 5.4%), and dephasing time(low to 3.86 ps). Furthermore, the results show that the proposed metamaterials has polarization-sensitive characteristics due to their non-central symmetry. Further research shows that the group index is as high as 604 which has a good slow light effect and can be used for optical storage. Hence, the quintuple-PIT proposed structure in this paper has good application value in the expansion of multi-function optical switches and the research of high-quality optical memory.

Detection of 2,4-Dinitrotoluene by Metal-Graphene Hybrid Plasmonic Nanoantennas with a Golden Ratio Rectangular Resonator

Plasmonic nanoantenna arrays have become increasingly popular for the detection of chemical molecules, biomolecules, viruses, and agents. In this study, our objective was to detect explosive-based 2,4-dinitrotoluene (2,4-DNT) with a metal-graphene hybrid plasmonic rectangular nanoantenna with a golden ratio size formed by choosing two consecutive numbers from the Fibonacci series. The golden rectangular resonator provides nearly perfect absorption without the need for impedance matching calculations and complex optimisation algorithms. In surface enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) applications, the internal losses of metallic nanostructures degrade their sensing performance. To improve performance sensitivity, graphene with high electrical conductivity and electrical tunability was used. The spectral fingerprints of 2,4 DNT at 6300 nm, 6580 nm, and 7500 nm were enhanced with a metal-graphene hybrid structure. The biosensor platform introduced, by combining the graphene and nanoantennas with a golden ratio and by adjusting the Fermi energy level of graphene, can be beneficial for highly sensitive tunable biosensors for a broad spectrum to identify the molecular fingerprints of specific biomolecules.

Terahertz Metasurface Modulators Based on Photosensitive Silicon

AbstractMetasurfaces solve the lack of materials in the terahertz (THz) band and control precisely the amplitude, phase, polarization, and transmission characteristics of THz waves, providing an effective way to realize THz functional devices. This article focuses on the design of THz metasurface modulators with a unit structure consisting of metal square rings, including resonance frequency, phase, and amplitude modulators. By embedding photosensitive semiconductor silicon (Si) in the unit structure, the unit structure is built from meta‐atom to molecularization model under the optical pumping condition, and the resonance frequencies are switched between high and low frequencies. The resonance frequency switchable characteristic is demonstrated using the equivalent LC oscillation circuit model, and the theoretical calculation results agree well with the simulations. Through theoretical calculations, the modulators achieve ultrafast switching times of less than 0.141 ps by the optical pumps, which have significant advantages in ultrafast THz modulators. By continuing to change the embedded position of the silicon in the unit structure, not only is a wide range of THz phase modulation achieved, but also multilevel modulation of the phase is realized. It is found that there is a strong relationship between the modulation depth and phase variation of THz waves, and a reasonable analysis is given. Further the amplitude modulator with a larger modulation depth (MD) is developed, and when the conductivity of photosensitive semiconductor silicon (σSi) reaches 2.5 × 106 S m−1, return loss (RL) is ≈0 dB, and the maximum MD reaches ≈100%; in order to gain insight into the nature of modulation, the modulation mechanism of THz waves under optical pumping conditions is analyzed. In addition, graphene‐based THz metasurface amplitude modulators are designed. When the depth of amplitude modulation is achieved by bias voltage modulation of the Fermi energy level of graphene, the maximum modulation amplitude is 23.42 dB, with a minimal modulation accuracy of 0.05 THz eV−1. In the article, the designed modulators have extremely excellent modulation performance. It has great potential applications in silicon‐based THz photonic devices, ultrahigh frequency electronic devices, high sensitivity sensors, and high‐precision imaging.

Goos–Hänchen and Imbert–Fedorov shifts for rotational elliptical Gaussian beams impinging on graphene–substrate surfaces

This paper derives the analytical solution of Goos–Hänchen and Imbert–Fedorov shifts of rotational elliptical Gaussian beams (REGBs). Furthermore, we find that near the Brewster angle incidence at near-p incident paraxial beam polarization, the values of the beam shifts and the widths of the corresponding resonance shift curves become dependent on the beam waist. By introducing the effective beam waist and rotational phase factor, the causes of the beam shift variation phenomenon are analyzed from the viewpoints of analytical solutions and Fourier optics. Meanwhile, by adjusting the Fermi energy level of graphene, it is found that the direction of GH shift of the elliptical rotating Gaussian beam depends on the reflecting material, and the direction of IF shift depends on the rotational phase of the beam.

Dynamically switchable multifunctional terahertz absorber based on graphene and vanadium dioxide hybrid metamaterials

A multifunctional terahertz absorber based on a hybrid configuration of vanadium dioxide ( V O 2 ) and graphene is proposed, which is enabled to dynamically switch between ultrabroadband and double-narrowband absorption characteristics using the phase-shifting property of V O 2 . When V O 2 is in the metallic phase and the Fermi energy level of graphene is 0.01 eV, ultrabroadband absorption from 3.04 THz to 8.78 THz can be achieved. The absorption can be continuously adjusted from 0.7% to 99.9% by changing the conductivity of the V O 2 through temperature. When V O 2 is in the insulating phase and Fermi energy level of graphene is 0.4 eV, the proposed absorber exhibits a double-narrowband absorption characteristic, achieving 99.8% and 97.3% absorption at 1.79 THz and 4.62 THz, respectively. Since graphene is an electronically controlled material, it is able to dynamically modulate the resonant frequency and absorption intensity by changing the Fermi energy level of graphene. In addition, the physical mechanism of the multifunctional absorber is revealed using electric field distribution and the impedance-matching theory. The proposed absorber has potential applications in optical switching, image processing, and stealth technology.

Significant enhancement of third harmonic generation in graphene layers placed on a random grating supporting plasmonic Anderson localized states

We first theoretically investigate the third-harmonic generation (THG) in a metasurface in which trilayer graphene is deposited over a periodic structure of GaP-CaF2 unit cells. The results of simulation confirm that the output intensity of third-harmonic wave enhances by 229 times around the resonance frequency compared to a bare trilayer graphene surrounded by air. This is due to increase of nonlinear response because of the field enhancement in the graphene layer owing to the excitation of graphene plasmons. Second, to obtain more enhancement for THG, we propose and simulate a metasurface in which the trilayer graphene is deposited on a disordered GaP-CaF2 grating. For this random structure, significant THG occurs at multiple resonance frequencies induced by Anderson localization effect. Our simulation results demonstrate that the maximum output intensity of THG wave increases by 125 times compared to the periodic structure and 28,625 times compared to the bare trilayer graphene. The effects of disorder level are investigated on the output intensity of the THG signal. The number of peaks and the maximum value of THG wave increase with the disorder level. Finally, we study dependence of THG output intensity on the Fermi energy level of graphene. The emission peaks of the THG wave are blue-shifted as Fermi energy increases. Our theoretical prediction of significant enhancement of THG in the graphene based disordered structures needs some experimental evidences in the future to be employed in different applications such as imaging of biological tissues.

Bi-Channel Switchable Broadband Terahertz Metamaterial Absorber

In this letter, a novel and simple design of switchable broadband terahertz metamaterial absorber is theoretically proposed and numerically demonstrated. The electrically adjusting material of graphene and the temperature-related phase-change material of vanadium dioxide (VO2) are combined in such multi-channel manipulation design. When VO2 is set to be the state of dielectric, the designed platform serves as a broadband absorber with an absorption rate exceeding 90% in the range of 1.31-3.18 THz, and simultaneously the absorption rate can be artificially adjusted from 5.3% to 99.0% at 2.8 THz by adjusting the Fermi energy level of graphene from 0 to 1 eV. When VO2 is set to be the state of metal, the absorber can achieve broadband perfect absorption in the large frequency range of 4.45-8.40 THz. It should be noted that such two broadband absorption windows are remarkably separated in the spectral range, indicating the impressive promise for switching operation during the applications. Due to the symmetry of the structure, the broadband absorber is insensitive to the polarization angle and has good performance in the range of high incidence angle. The design and the findings hold potential applications in the terahertz wave technologies, such as intelligent switching and tunable filtering.

Preparation and Electrical Testing of Double Top Gate Graphene Field-Effect Transistor

In this paper, we prepare and test a graphene field-effect transistor with two top gates. The Fermi energy level of graphene can be adjusted by applying positive and negative voltages to the two top gates, and N-type and P-type graphene are formed in the channel region, thus inducing a graphene p-n junction. The current model is established using the gradual channel approximation (GCA) method, and the current and p-n junction characteristics of the device were obtained by formula simulations. Based on the principle of p-n junction luminescence, this device with graphene p-n junction is expected to achieve terahertz wave radiation with an appropriate optical resonant cavity.

Graphene thermionic energy converter combined with an absorption heat transformer for electricity generation and thermal upgrading

To improve energy utilization by recycling waste heat, a novel hybrid system composed of a graphene-based thermionic energy converter (GTEC) and an absorption heat transformer (AHT) is presented, where the GTEC anode waste heat is absorbed by the AHT for thermal upgrading. Considering major irreversible losses, the mathematical expressions for the equivalent power density, energy efficiency and exergy efficiency of the hybrid system are derived using thermionic emission and nonequilibrium thermodynamic theory. The hybrid system's general performance characteristics are also discussed in detail. Additionally, according to numerical calculation, the hybrid system's maximum energy efficiency (MEE), maximum power density (MPOD), and maximum exergy efficiency are 54.53 %, 7.73 W/cm2 and 68.16 % respectively, at the high-temperature heat source temperature of 1500 K. The hybrid system MPOD and MEE have risen by 17.97 % and 17.96 %, respectively, and maximum exergy efficiency has increased by 17.97 % as compared to a single GTEC. Furthermore, the impacts of the high-temperature heat source temperature, the Fermi energy level of graphene, cathode work function, ambient temperature, heat transfer coefficients of AHT, and the temperature of heated space on the hybrid system are investigated in depth. This study provides a new avenue for waste heat utilization in GTEC.

Dual-band/ultra-broadband switchable terahertz metamaterial absorber based on vanadium dioxide and graphene

A dual-band/ultra-broadband switchable terahertz absorber based on vanadium dioxide (VO2) and graphene is proposed in this article. By controlling the properties of VO2 and graphene, the operation mode of the absorber can be switched between dual-band and ultra-wideband absorption. The simulation results show that the absorber works in the dual-band absorption mode when VO2 is in the insulating state and the Fermi energy level of graphene is 1.5 eV. The absorptivity are 99.4% and 99.8% at 1.08 and 3.52 THz, respectively. The frequency position of the absorption peaks can be switched by regulating the Fermi energy level of graphene. While the VO2 is transitioned to the metallic state and the Fermi energy level of graphene is 0.05 eV, the absorber operates in the ultra-broadband absorption mode with the absorptivity over 90% in the range 0.94–4.31 THz, and the relative absorption bandwidth reaches 128%. In addition, the working principle of the proposed absorber is analyzed by impedance matching theory and electric field distribution. Based on these characteristics, the proposed metamaterial absorber is expected to be used in the terahertz bio-detection and imaging fields.