We theoretically study the population inversion and negative dynamic conductivity in intrinsic graphene in the terahertz (THz) frequency range upon pulse photoexcitation with near-/mid-infrared wavelength. The threshold pulse energy required for the population inversion and negative dynamic conductivity can be orders-of-magnitude lower when the pulse photon energy is lower, due to the inverse proportionality of the photoexcited carrier concentration to the pulse photon energy and to the weaker carrier heating. We also investigate the dependence of the dynamic conductivity on the momentum relaxation time. The negative dynamic conductivity takes place either in high- or low-quality graphene, where the Drude absorption by carriers in the THz frequency is weak.
We theoretically examine the effect of carrier-carrier scattering processes (electron-hole and electron-electron) on the intraband radiation absorption and their contribution to the net dynamic conductivity in optically or electrically pumped graphene. We demonstrate that the radiation absorption assisted by the carrier-carrier scattering can be stronger than the Drude absorption due to the carrier scattering on disorder. Since the intraband absorption of radiation effectively competes with its interband amplification, this can substantially affect the conditions of the negative dynamic conductivity in the pumped graphene and, hence, the interband terahertz and infrared lasing. We find the threshold values of the frequency and quasi-Fermi energy of nonequilibrium carriers corresponding to the onset of negative dynamic conductivity. The obtained results show that the effect of carrier-carrier scattering shifts the threshold frequency of the radiation amplification in pumped graphene to higher values. In particular, the negative dynamic conductivity is attainable at the frequencies above 6 THz in graphene on SiO2 substrates at room temperature. The threshold frequency can be decreased to markedly lower values in graphene structures with high-k substrates due to screening of the carrier-carrier scattering, particularly at lower temperatures.
Using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy, the real part of optical conductivity [$sigma_{1}(omega)$] of twisted bilayer graphene was obtained at different temperatures (10 -- 300 K) in the frequency range 0.3 -- 3 THz. On top of a Drude-like response, we see a strong peak in $sigma_{1} (omega)$ at $sim$2.7 THz. We analyze the overall Drude-like response using a disorder-dependent (unitary scattering) model, then attribute the peak at 2.7 THz to an enhanced density of states at that energy, that is caused by the presence of a van Hove singularity arising from a commensurate twisting of the two graphene layers.
We address the tunneling current in a graphene-hBN-graphene heterostructure as function of the twisting between the crystals. The twisting induces a modulation of the hopping amplitude between the graphene layers, that provides the extra momentum necessary to satisfy momentum and energy conservation and to activate coherent tunneling between the graphene electrodes. Conservation rules limit the tunneling to states with wavevectors lying at the conic curves defined by the intersection of two Dirac cones shifted in momentum and energy. There is a critical voltage where the intersection is a straight line, and the joint density of states presents a maximum. This reflects in a peak in the tunneling current and in a negative differential conductivity.
We study the dynamic effects in the double graphene-layer (GL) structures with the resonant-tunneling (RT) and the negative differential inter-GL conductivity. Using the developed model, which accounts for the excitation of self-consistent oscillations of the electron and hole densities and the ac electric field between GLs (plasma oscillations), we calculate the admittance of the double-GL RT structures as a function of the signal frequency and applied voltages, and the spectrum and increment/decrement of plasma oscillations. Our results show that the electron-hole plasma in the double-GL RT structures with realistic parameters is stable with respect to the self-excitation of plasma oscillations and aperiodic perturbations. The stability of the electron-hole plasma at the bias voltages corresponding to the inter-GL RT and strong nonlinearity of the RT current-voltage characteristics enable using the double-GL RT structures for detection of teraherz (THz) radiation. The excitation of plasma oscillations by the incoming THz radiation can result in a sharp resonant dependence of detector responsivity on radiation frequency and the bias voltage. Due to a strong nonlinearity of the current-voltage characteristics of the double-GL structures at RT and the resonant excitation of plasma oscillations, the maximum responsivity, $R_V^{max}$, can markedly exceed the values $(10^4 - 10^5)$~V/W at room temperature.
A transient femtosecond population inversion in graphene was recently reported by Li et al., Phys. Rev. Lett. 108, 167401 (2012). Based on a microscopic theory we clarify the underlying microscopic mechanism: Transient gain and population inversion in graphene occurs due to a complex interplay of strong optical pumping and carrier cooling that fills states close to the Dirac point giving rise to a relaxation bottleneck. The subsequent femtosecond decay of the optical gain is mainly driven by Coulomb-induced Auger recombination.
A. Satou
,V. Ryzhii
,Y. Kurita
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(2012)
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"Threshold of Terahertz Population Inversion and Negative Dynamic Conductivity in Graphene Under Pulse Photoexcitation"
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Akira Satou
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