Two-dimensional Dirac plasmon-polaritons in graphene, 3D topological insulator and hybrid systems.

Collective oscillations of massless particles in two-dimensional (2D) Dirac materials offer an innovative route toward implementing atomically thin devices based on low-energy quasiparticle interactions. Strong confinement of near-field distribution on the 2D surface is essential to demonstrate extraordinary optoelectronic functions, providing means to shape the spectral response at the mid-infrared (IR) wavelength. Although the dynamic polarization from the linear response theory has successfully accounted for a range of experimental observations, a unified perspective was still elusive, connecting the state-of-the-art developments based on the 2D Dirac plasmon-polaritons.

Electrically Controllable Molecularization of Terahertz Meta-Atoms.

Active control of metamaterial properties is critical for advanced terahertz (THz) applications. However, the tunability of THz properties, such as the resonance frequency and phase of the wave, remains challenging. Here, a new device design is provided for extensively tuning the resonance properties of THz metamaterials.

Control over Electron-Phonon Interaction by Dirac Plasmon Engineering in the BiSe Topological Insulator.

Understanding the mutual interaction between electronic excitations and lattice vibrations is key for understanding electronic transport and optoelectronic phenomena. Dynamic manipulation of such interaction is elusive because it requires varying the material composition on the atomic level. In turn, recent studies on topological insulators (TIs) have revealed the coexistence of a strong phonon resonance and topologically protected Dirac plasmon, both in the terahertz (THz) frequency range.

Designing Two-Dimensional Dirac Heterointerfaces of Few-Layer Graphene and Tetradymite-Type SbTe for Thermoelectric Applications.

Despite the ubiquitous nature of the Peltier effect in low-dimensional thermoelectric devices, the influence of finite temperature on the electronic structure and transport in the Dirac heterointerfaces of the few-layer graphene and layered tetradymite, SbTe (which coincidently have excellent thermoelectric properties) are not well understood. In this work, using the first-principles density-functional theory calculations, we investigate the detailed atomic and electronic structure of these Dirac heterointerfaces of graphene and SbTe and further re-examine the effect of finite temperature on the electronic band structures using a phenomenological temperature-broadening model based on Fermi-Dirac statistics. We then proceed to understand the underlying charge redistribution process in this Dirac heterointerfaces and through solving the Boltzmann transport equation, we present the theoretical evidence of electron-hole asymmetry in its electrical conductivity as a consequence of this charge redistribution mechanism.

Photoinduced Nonlinear Mixing of Terahertz Dipole Resonances in Graphene Metadevices.

The first experimental demonstration of nonlinear terahertz difference-frequency generation in a hybrid graphene metadevice is reported. Decades of research have revealed that terahertz-wave generation is impossible in single-layer graphene. This limitation is overcome and nonlinear terahertz generation by ultra-short optical pulse injection is demonstrated.

Anisotropy modeling of terahertz metamaterials: polarization dependent resonance manipulation by meta-atom cluster.

Recently metamaterials have inspired worldwide researches due to their exotic properties in transmitting, reflecting, absorbing or refracting specific electromagnetic waves. Most metamaterials are known to have anisotropic properties, but existing anisotropy models are applicable only to a single meta-atom and its properties. Here we propose an anisotropy model for asymmetrical meta-atom clusters and their polarization dependency.

Unconventional terahertz carrier relaxation in graphene oxide: observation of enhanced auger recombination due to defect saturation.

Photoexcited carrier relaxation is a recurring topic in understanding the transient conductivity dynamics of graphene-based devices. For atomically thin graphene oxide (GO), a simple free-carrier Drude response is expected to govern the terahertz (THz) conductivity dynamics--same dynamics observed in conventional CVD-grown graphene. However, to date, no experimental testimony has been provided on the origin of photoinduced conductivity increase in GO.