We explore current-driven Dirac plasmon dynamics in monolayer graphene metasurfaces. DC-current-induced complete suppression of the graphene absorption is experimentally observed in a broad frequency range followed by a giant amplification (up to ∼ 9 % gain) of an incoming terahertz radiation at room temperature.
Ultrashort terahertz (THz) pulses are a powerful tool for both probing and controlling novel phenomena in quantum materials. This is particularly useful in Dirac materials, since these materials exhibit novel magnetic and lattice excitations that can potentially be used to control their properties. Here, the use of ultrashort THz pulses to reveal the circular photogalvanic effect in the Weyl semimetal TaAs and probe magnetoplasmon modes in graphene nanoribbons will be examined.
We performed THz emission spectroscopy on the (112) and (001) surfaces of the Weyl semimetal TaAs. Our data enables us to clearly distinguish between helicity-dependent photocurrents generated within the ab-plane and polarization-independent photocurrents flowing along the non-centrosymmetric c-axis. Such findings are in excellent agreement with previous static photocurrent measurements. However, by considering both the physical constraints imposed by symmetry and the temporal dynamics intrinsic to current generation and decay, we can attribute these transient photocurrents to the underlying crystal symmetry of these materials.
We also used terahertz (THz) magneto-optical spectroscopy to demonstrate how a periodic array of graphene micro-ribbons can be used to control the transmission spectrum and polarization state of a THz pulse whose electric field is oriented along the pattern’s axis of periodicity (perpendicular to the long axis of the ribbons). Our results demonstrate that graphene micro-ribbon arrays are a powerful system for controlling the coupling between light and magnetoplasmonic modes. This enables the tailoring of THz transmission profiles and polarization states using applied magnetic fields.
Current-injection pumping in graphene makes carrier population inversion enabling lasing and/or amplification of terahertz (THz) radiation. We have recently demonstrated single-mode THz lasing at 100K in graphene-channel transistor laser structures. Introduction of a gated double-graphene-layered (G-DGL) van der Waals heterostructure is a promising route to further increase the operation temperature and radiation intensity via plasmon- and/or photon-assisted quantummechanical tunneling. We have proposed a cascading of the G-DGL unit element working as a new type of THz quantumcascade lasers. Numerical analyses demonstrate further increase of the quantum efficiency of THz lasing by orders of magnitude compared to a transistor or single G-DGL structure.
Linear and gapless energy spectrum of graphene carriers enables population inversion under optical and electrical pumping. We first theoretically discovered this phenomenon and demonstrated experimental observation of single-mode THz lasing with rather weak intensity at 100K in current-injection pumped graphene-channel field-effect transistors (GFETs). We introduce graphene surface plasmon polariton (SPP) instability to substantially boost the THz gain. We demonstrate our experimental observation of giant amplification of THz radiation at 300K stimulated by graphene plasmon instabilities in asymmetric dual-grating gate (ADGG) GFETs. Integrating the graphene SPP amplifier into a GFET laser will be a promising solution towards room-temperature intense THz lasing.
This paper reviews recent advances in the terahertz (THz) graphene-based 2D-heterostructure lasers and amplifiers. The linear gapless graphene energy spectrum enables population inversion under optical and electrical pumping giving rise to the negative dynamic conductivity in a wide THz frequency range. We first theoretically discovered these phenomena and recently reported on the experimental observation of the amplified spontaneous THz emission and single-mode THz lasing at 100K in the current-injection pumped graphene-channel field-effect transistors (GFETs) with a distributedfeedback dual-gate structure. We also observed the light amplification of stimulated emission of THz radiation driven by graphene-plasmon instability in the asymmetric dual-grating gate (ADGG) GFETs by using a THz time-domain spectroscopy technique. Integrating the graphene surface plasmon polariton (SPP) oscillator into a current-injection graphene THz laser transistor is the most promising approach towards room-temperature intense THz lasing.
Gas leaks and air pollution sources present to a certain extend health, safety and environmental risks. A history of crisis management in the Upstream has shown the value of efficient and accurate tools for detecting gas leakages and/or the characterization air pollution agents. Knowing about the existence of a leak or the existence of an environmental thread is not always enough to launch a corrective action. Additional critical inputs such as the leak source, the chemical nature of the gas cloud, its direction and speed and as well as the gas concentration must most of the time be gathered in a short amount of time to help securing the hazardous areas. Most of the time gas identification for gas leaks surveys or environmental monitoring purposes involve explosives and/or toxic chemicals. In such situations, airborne measurements present particular advantages over ground based-techniques since large areas can be covered efficiently from a safe distance. In this work, we present our recent results on real time airborne gas detection up to 4600 feet above the ground using thermal hyperspectral Imaging technology. The Fourier transform technology used in the longwave (8-12 micron) hyperspectral camera on an airborne platform allows recording of airborne hyperspectral data using mapping and targeting modes. These two acquisition modes were used for gas imaging a ground-based ethylene, Methanol and acetone gas release experiment. Real time quantitative airborne chemical images of the three gas clouds were obtained paving the path toward a viable solution for gas leak surveys and environmental monitoring.
The hyperspectral chemical mapping of open mines exploited by industries are among the possible applications that could possibly benefit from thermal infrared long-distance survey. More specifically the cement production essential in the constructions of our cities. The cement is made by mixing different raw materials and firing them in order to achieve precise chemical proportions of lime, silica, alumina and iron in the finished product. The quality of cement is therefore directly related to the chemistry of the raw materials used. Approximately 80 to 90% of the raw material is limestone. Clayey raw material accounts for between 10 to 15%, although precise amounts vary. Magnesium carbonate, which may be present in limestone, is the main undesirable impurity. The level of magnesia (MgO) should not exceed 5% and many producers prefer a maximum of 3%; this excludes dolomite or dolomitic limestones for the manufacture of cement.
In this work, we conducted thermal infrared (TIR) hyperspectral imaging for mineral mapping and mineralogy identification on a pit wall with Juracement at Cornaux using hyperspectral camera. This passive thermal infrared hyperspectral research instrument based on Fourier transform spectroscopy provides high spectral resolution data. The solid targets such as minerals not only emit but also reflect thermal infrared radiation. Since the two phenomena occur simultaneously, they end-up mixed in the radiance measured at the sensor level. To unveil the spectral features associated with minerals from TIR measurements, the respective contributions of self-emission and reflection in the measurement must be «unmixed» using temperature-emissivity separation (TES) algorithms. We developed a new TES procedure that allowed us to retrieve the spectral emissivity of the different minerals in the investigated scene. The chemical maps of the calcite dolomite mixtures were obtained on the pit wall the investigations were carried out, giving important insights on chemical the quality of the mine.
Ultrafast optical microscopy is an important tool for examining fundamental phenomena in semiconductor nanowires with high temporal and spatial resolution. Here, we used this technique to study carrier dynamics in single GaN/InGaN core−shell nonpolar multiple quantum well nanowires. We find that intraband carrier−carrier scattering is the main channel governing carrier capture, while subsequent carrier relaxation is dominated by three-carrier Auger recombination at higher densities and bimolecular recombina tion at lower densities. The Auger constants in these nanowires are approximately 2 orders of magnitude lower than in planar InGaN multiple quantum wells, highlighting their potential for future light-emitting devices.
This paper reviews recent advances in the research of graphene-based van der Waals heterostructures for emission and detection of terahertz radiation. A gated double-graphene-layer (DGL) nanocapacitor is the core shell under consideration, in which a thin tunnel barrier layer is sandwiched by outer graphene layers at both sides. The DGL can support symmetric optical and anti-symmetric acoustic coupled plasmon modes in the GLs. The latter mode can modulate the band-offset between the GL, giving rise to modulation of the inter-GL-layer resonant tunneling. This can dramatically enhance the THz gain or responsivity via plasmon-assisted inter-GL resonant tunneling.
This paper reviews recent advances in the double-graphene-layer (DGL) active plasmonic heterostructures for the terahertz (THz) device applications. The DGL consists of a core shell in which a thin tunnel barrier layer is sandwiched by the two GLs being independently connected with the side contacts and outer gate stack layers at both sides. The DGL core shell works as a nano-capacitor, exhibiting inter-GL resonant tunneling (RT) when the band offset between the two GLs is aligned. The RT produces a strong nonlinearity with a negative differential conductance in the DGL current-voltage characteristics. The excitation of the graphene plasmons by the THz radiation resonantly modulates the tunneling currentvoltage characteristics. When the band offset is aligned to the THz photon energy, the DGL structure can mediate photonassisted RT, resulting in resonant emission or detection of the THz radiation. The cooperative double-resonant excitation with structure-sensitive graphene plasmons gives rise to various functionalities such as rectification (detection), photomixing, higher harmonic generation, and self-oscillation, in the THz device implementations.
We study theoretically and experimentally the plasmonic THz detection by the asymmetric dual-grating-gate HEMT at room temperature without source-to-drain bias. We derive the analytical expressions of photocurrents due to the plasmonic drag and ratchet effects, and we discuss about their frequency dependences. We also compare the theory to the experimentally obtained frequency dependence. It is demonstrated that they agree qualitatively well.
This paper reviews recent advances in the research and development toward the graphene-based terahertz (THz) lasers. Mass-less Dirac Fermions of electrons and holes in gapless and linear symmetric band structures in graphene enable a gain in a wide THz frequency range under optical or electrical pumping. The excitation of the surface plasmon polaritons in the population-inverted graphene dramatically enhances the THz gain. Photon-emission-assisted resonant tunneling in a double-graphene-layered nano-capacitor structure also strongly enhances the THz gain. Novel graphene-based heterostructures using these physical mechanisms for the current-injection driven THz lasing are discussed. Their superior gain-spectral properties are analyzed and the laser cavity structures for the graphene THz laser implementation are discussed.
This paper reviews recent advances in graphene plasmonic heterostructures for new types of terahertz lasers. We
theoretically discovered and experimentally manifested that the excitation of surface plasmons in population-inverted
graphene by the terahertz photons results in propagating surface plasmon polaritons with a giant gain in a wide terahertz
range. Furthermore, double graphene layer heterostructures consisting of a tunnel barrier insulator sandwiched with a
pair of gated graphene monolayers are introduced. Photoemission-assisted quantum-mechanical resonant tunneling can
be electrically tuned to meet a desired photon energy for lasing, resulting in enormous enhancement of the terahertz gain.
Current injection structures are also addressed.
This paper reviews recent advances in graphene active plasmonics and their applications to terahertz lasers and sensors.
We theoretically discovered and experimentally manifested that when the carrier population in graphene is inverted the
excitation of graphene plasmons results in propagating surface plasmon polaritons with giant gain in a wide THz range.
Furthermore, when graphene is patterned in a microribbon array by grating gate metallization, the structure provides
super-radiant plasmonic lasing with giant gain as well as ultrahigh sensitive detection at the plasmon modes in a wide
THz frequency range.
The recent advances in emission and detection of terahertz radiation using two-dimensional (2-D) plasmons in semiconductor nanoheterostructures for nondestructive evaluations are reviewed. The 2-D plasmon resonance is introduced as the operation principle for broadband emission and detection of terahertz radiation. The device structure is based on a high-electron-mobility transistor and incorporates the authors’ original asymmetrically interdigitated dual-grating gates. Excellent THz emission and detection performances are experimentally demonstrated by using InAlAs/InGaAs/InP and/or InGaP/InGaAs/GaAs heterostructure material systems. Their applications to nondestructive material evaluation based on THz imaging are also presented.
This paper reviews recent advances in emission and detection of terahertz radiation using two dimensional (2D) plasmons in semiconductor nano-heterostructures for nondestructive evaluations. The 2D plasmon resonance is introduced as the operation principle for broadband emission and detection of terahertz radiation. The device structure is based on a high-electron mobility transistor and incorporates the authors’ original asymmetrically interdigitated dual grating gates. Excellent terahertz emission and detection performances are experimentally demonstrated by using InAlAs/InGaAs/InP and/or InGaP/InGaAs/GaAs heterostructure material systems. Their applications to nondestructive material evaluation based on terahertz imaging are also presented.
This paper reviews recent advances in terahertz-wave generation in graphene toward the creation of new types of graphene terahertz lasers. Fundamental basis of the optoelectronic properties of graphene is first introduced. Second, nonequilibrium carrier relaxation/recombination dynamics and resultant negative terahertz conductivity in optically or electrically pumped graphene are described. Third, recent theoretical advances toward the creation of current-injection graphene terahertz lasers are described. Fourth, unique terahertz dynamics of the two-dimensional plasmons in graphene are discussed. Finally, the advantages of graphene materials and devices for terahertz-wave generation are summarized.
We report on ultrahigh sensitive, broadband terahertz (THz) detectors based on asymmetric double-grating-gate (A-DGG)
high electron mobility transistors, demonstrating a record responsivity of 2.2 kV/W at 1 THz with a superior low
noise equivalent power of 15 pW/√Hz using InGaAs/InAlAs/InP material systems. When THz radiation is absorbed
strong THz photocurrent is first generated by the nonlinearity of the plasmon modes resonantly excited in undepleted
portions of the 2D electron channel under the high-biased sub-grating of the A-DGG, then the THz photovoltaic response
is read out at high-impedance parts of 2D channel under the other sub-grating biased at the level close to the threshold.
Extraordinary enhancement by more than two orders of magnitude of the responsivity is verified with respect to that for
a symmetric DGG structure.
The gapless and linear energy spectra of electrons and holes in graphene lead to nontrivial features such as negative
dynamic conductivity in the terahertz spectral range. This paper reviews the recent advances in theoretical and
experimental study on terahertz light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation in optically pumped graphene.
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