THz plasmons of extremely short wavelength propagate along the graphene sheet of a THz detector, as visualized with photocurrent images obtained by scanning probe microscopy.
THz plasmons of extremely short wavelength propagate along the graphene sheet of a THz detector, as visualized with photocurrent images obtained by scanning probe microscopy.
On-chip observation of THz plasmons
Researchers develop a technique for imaging THz photocurrents with nanoscale resolution, and apply it to visualize strongly compressed plasmons in a graphene photodetector.
November 03, 2016
Radiation in the terahertz (THz) frequency range is attracting large interest because of its manifold application potential for non-destructive imaging, next-generation wireless communication or sensing. But still, the generation, detection and control of THz radiation faces numerous technological challenges. Particularly, the relatively long wavelengths (from 30 to 300 micrometer) of THz radiation require solutions for nanoscale integration of THz devices or for nanoscale sensing and imaging applications.
In recent years, graphene plasmonics has become a highly promising platform for shrinking THz waves. It is based on the interaction of light with collective electron oscillations in graphene, giving rise to electromagnetic waves that are called plasmons. The graphene plasmons propagate with strongly reduced wavelength and can concentrate THz fields to subwavelength-scale dimensions, while the plasmons themselves can be controlled electrically.
Now, researchers at CIC nanoGUNE (San Sebastian) in collaboration with ICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences (Barcelona), Columbia University (New York), IIT (Genova), Radboud University (Nijmegen), NIM (Tsukuba) and Neaspec (Martinsried) could visualize strongly compressed and confined THz plasmons in a room-temperature THz detector based on graphene. To see the plasmons, they recorded a nanoscale map of the photocurrent that the detector produced while a sharp metal tip was scanned across it. The tip had the function to focus the THz illumination to a spot size of about 50 nm, which is about 2000 times smaller than the illumination wavelength. This new imaging technique, which they called THz photocurrent nanoscopy, provides unprecedented possibilities for characterizing optoelectronic properties at THz frequencies.
The team recorded photocurrent images of the graphene detector, while it was illuminated with THz radiation of around 100 micrometer wavelength. The images showed photocurrent oscillations revealing that THz plasmons with a more than 50 times reduced wavelength were propagating in the device while producing a photocurrent.
“In the beginning we were quite surprised about the extremely short plasmon wavelength, as THz graphene plasmons are typically much less compressed. We managed to solve the puzzle by theoretical studies, which showed that the plasmons couple with the metal gate below the graphene”, says Alexey Nikitin, Ikerbasque Fellow at CIC nanoGUNE and co-author of the work. “This coupling leads to an additional compression of the plasmons and an extreme field confinement, which could open the door towards various detector and sensor applications”, says Pablo Alonso, at present, researcher at the University of Oviedo and first author of the work. “The plasmons also show a linear dispersion – that means that their energy is proportional to their momentum - which can be very beneficial for information and communication technologies”, he adds.
THz photocurrent nanoscopy relies on the strong photothermoelectric effect in graphene, which transforms heat generated by THz fields, including that of THz plasmons, into a current. “Graphene has surprised us again with its unique properties. In the future, the strong thermoelectric effect could be also applied for on-chip THz plasmon detection in graphene plasmonic circuits”, concludes Rainer Hillenbrand, Ikerbasque Research Professor and Nanooptics Group Leader at nanoGUNE who led the research.
The technique for THz photocurrent nanoimaging could find further application potential beyond plasmon imaging, for example, for studying the local THz optoelectronic properties of other 2D materials, classical 2D electron gases or semiconductor nanostructures.
In recent years, graphene plasmonics has become a highly promising platform for shrinking THz waves. It is based on the interaction of light with collective electron oscillations in graphene, giving rise to electromagnetic waves that are called plasmons. The graphene plasmons propagate with strongly reduced wavelength and can concentrate THz fields to subwavelength-scale dimensions, while the plasmons themselves can be controlled electrically.
Now, researchers at CIC nanoGUNE (San Sebastian) in collaboration with ICFO-The Institute of Photonic Sciences (Barcelona), Columbia University (New York), IIT (Genova), Radboud University (Nijmegen), NIM (Tsukuba) and Neaspec (Martinsried) could visualize strongly compressed and confined THz plasmons in a room-temperature THz detector based on graphene. To see the plasmons, they recorded a nanoscale map of the photocurrent that the detector produced while a sharp metal tip was scanned across it. The tip had the function to focus the THz illumination to a spot size of about 50 nm, which is about 2000 times smaller than the illumination wavelength. This new imaging technique, which they called THz photocurrent nanoscopy, provides unprecedented possibilities for characterizing optoelectronic properties at THz frequencies.
The team recorded photocurrent images of the graphene detector, while it was illuminated with THz radiation of around 100 micrometer wavelength. The images showed photocurrent oscillations revealing that THz plasmons with a more than 50 times reduced wavelength were propagating in the device while producing a photocurrent.
“In the beginning we were quite surprised about the extremely short plasmon wavelength, as THz graphene plasmons are typically much less compressed. We managed to solve the puzzle by theoretical studies, which showed that the plasmons couple with the metal gate below the graphene”, says Alexey Nikitin, Ikerbasque Fellow at CIC nanoGUNE and co-author of the work. “This coupling leads to an additional compression of the plasmons and an extreme field confinement, which could open the door towards various detector and sensor applications”, says Pablo Alonso, at present, researcher at the University of Oviedo and first author of the work. “The plasmons also show a linear dispersion – that means that their energy is proportional to their momentum - which can be very beneficial for information and communication technologies”, he adds.
THz photocurrent nanoscopy relies on the strong photothermoelectric effect in graphene, which transforms heat generated by THz fields, including that of THz plasmons, into a current. “Graphene has surprised us again with its unique properties. In the future, the strong thermoelectric effect could be also applied for on-chip THz plasmon detection in graphene plasmonic circuits”, concludes Rainer Hillenbrand, Ikerbasque Research Professor and Nanooptics Group Leader at nanoGUNE who led the research.
The technique for THz photocurrent nanoimaging could find further application potential beyond plasmon imaging, for example, for studying the local THz optoelectronic properties of other 2D materials, classical 2D electron gases or semiconductor nanostructures.