Terahertz transverse electric modes in graphene with DC current in hydrodynamic regime

J Phys Condens Matter. 2022 May 18;34(29). doi: 10.1088/1361-648X/ac6cbd.

Abstract

The dispersion, excitation, and amplification of electromagnetic transverse electric (TE) modes at terahertz (THz) frequencies in graphene in the hydrodynamic (HD) regime, with a direct electric current flowing perpendicular to the TE mode wavevector, were theoretically investigated. The expression for the nonlocal HD conductivity of graphene with a direct electric current flowing perpendicular to the TE mode wavevector was derived. The direct electric current in graphene leads to the capacitive nature of the graphene HD conductivity at THz frequencies, which makes TE modes exist in this frequency range. The excitation of TE modes in graphene by an incident THz wave was modeled for the attenuated total reflection geometry. A new physical mechanism of TE mode amplification in graphene effective for a low value of carrier drift velocity was predicted. THz lasing regimes with TE modes in graphene structure with direct electric current were found. The results of this work can be used to create miniature technologically feasible sources and amplifiers of THz radiation.

Keywords: graphene with direct electric current; hydrodynamic graphene; surface transverse electric waves; terahertz amplification.