Strong transient magnetic fields induced by THz-driven plasmons in graphene disks

Strong circularly polarized excitation opens up the possibility to generate and control effective magnetic fields in solid state systems, e.g., via the optical inverse Faraday effect or the phonon inverse Faraday effect. While these effects rely on material properties that can be tailored only to a limited degree, plasmonic resonances can be fully controlled by choosing proper dimensions and carrier concentrations. Plasmon resonances provide new degrees of freedom that can be used to tune or enhance the light-induced magnetic field in engineered metamaterials. Here we employ graphene disks to demonstrate light-induced transient magnetic fields from a plasmonic circular current with extremely high efficiency. The effective magnetic field at the plasmon resonance frequency of the graphene disks (3.5 THz) is evidenced by a strong (~1{\deg}) ultrafast Faraday rotation (~ 20 ps). In accordance with reference measurements and simulations, we estimated the strength of the induced magnetic field to be on the order of 0.7 T under a moderate pump fluence of about 440 nJ cm-2

Increasing the Rate of Magnesium Intercalation Underneath Epitaxial Graphene on 6H-SiC(0001)

Magnesium intercalated 'quasi-freestanding' bilayer graphene on 6H-SiC(0001) (Mg-QFSBLG) has many favorable properties (e.g., highly n-type doped, relatively stable in ambient conditions). However, intercalation of Mg underneath monolayer graphene is challenging, requiring multiple intercalation steps. Here, we overcome these challenges and subsequently increase the rate of Mg intercalation by laser patterning (ablating) the graphene to form micron-sized discontinuities. We then use low energy electron diffraction to verify Mg-intercalation and conversion to Mg-QFSBLG, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to determine the Mg intercalation rate for patterned and non-patterned samples. By modeling Mg intercalation with the Verhulst equation, we find that the intercalation rate increase for the patterned sample is 4.5$\pm$1.7. Since the edge length of the patterned sample is $\approx$5.2 times that of the non-patterned sample, the model implies that the increased intercalation rate is proportional to the increase in edge length. Moreover, Mg intercalation likely begins at graphene discontinuities in pristine samples (not step edges or flat terraces), where the 2D-like crystal growth of Mg-silicide proceeds. Our laser patterning technique may enable the rapid intercalation of other atomic or molecular species, thereby expanding upon the library of intercalants used to modify the characteristics of graphene, or other 2D materials and heterostructures.Comment: 24 pages, 4 figure

Freestanding n-Doped Graphene via Intercalation of Calcium and Magnesium into the Buffer Layer - SiC(0001) Interface

The intercalation of epitaxial graphene on SiC(0001) with Ca has been studied extensively, yet precisely where the Ca resides remains elusive. Furthermore, the intercalation of Mg underneath epitaxial graphene on SiC(0001) has not been reported. Here, we use low energy electron diffraction, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, secondary electron cut-off photoemission and scanning tunneling microscopy to elucidate the physical and electronic structure of both Ca- and Mg-intercalated epitaxial graphene on 6H-SiC(0001). We find that Ca intercalates underneath the buffer layer and bonds to the Si-terminated SiC surface, breaking the C-Si bonds of the buffer layer i.e. 'freestanding' the buffer layer to form Ca-intercalated quasi-freestanding bilayer graphene (Ca-QFSBLG). The situation is similar for the Mg-intercalation of epitaxial graphene on SiC(0001), where an ordered Mg-terminated reconstruction at the SiC surface and Mg bonds to the Si-terminated SiC surface are formed, resulting in Mg-intercalated quasi-freestanding bilayer graphene (Mg-QFSBLG). Ca-intercalation underneath the buffer layer has not been considered in previous studies of Ca-intercalated epitaxial graphene. Furthermore, we find no evidence that either Ca or Mg intercalates between graphene layers. However, we do find that both Ca-QFSBLG and Mg-QFSBLG exhibit very low workfunctions of 3.68 and 3.78 eV, respectively, indicating high n-type doping. Upon exposure to ambient conditions, we find Ca-QFSBLG degrades rapidly, whereas Mg-QFSBLG remains remarkably stable.Comment: 58 pages, 10 figures, 4 tables. Revised text and figure

Manipulating Surface Energy to form Compound Semiconductor Nanostructures

Nanostructures have been lauded for their quantum confinement capabilities and potential applications in future devices. Compound semiconductor nanostructures are being integrated into the next generation of photovoltaic and light emitting devices to take advantage of their unique optical characteristics. Despite their promise, adoption of nanostructure based devices has been slow. This is due in large part to difficulties in effective fabrication and processing steps. By manipulating the surface energy of various components during growth, we can control the final structure and corresponding optoelectronic characteristics. Specifically I will present on GaSb quantum dots embedded in GaAs and GaAs nanowires using novel substrate and catalyst materials. GaSb quantum dots embedded in a GaAs matrix are ideal for devices that require capture of minority carriers as they exhibit a type II band offset with carrier concentration in the valence band. However, during GaAs capping, there is a strong driving force for the dot to demolish into a distribution of intact dots, rings, and GaSb material clusters. We demonstrate the ability to mitigate this effect using both chemical and kinetic means: we alter the surface chemistry via the addition of aluminum, and use droplet epitaxy as an alternative quantum dot formation method. Secondly, the growth of high quality GaAs on silicon has always been restricted due to material incompatibilities. With the emergence of increasingly smaller low power electronics, there is a demand to integrate optoelectronic devices directly on the surface of CMOS sensor stacks. Utilizing the vapor-liquid-solid growth mechanism we are able to demonstrate the growth of high quality GaAs nanowires on polycrystalline substrates at low temperatures. This allows for the growth of III-V nanowire based devices directly on the metal pads of pre-packaged CMOS chips. We also investigate the potential use of bismuth as an alternative to gold for catalyzing nanowire growth.PHDMaterials Science and EngineeringUniversity of Michigan, Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studieshttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/135758/1/mdejarld_1.pd

Observation of strong magneto plasmonic nonlinearity in bilayer graphene discs

Chin ML, Matschy S, Stawitzki F, et al. Observation of strong magneto plasmonic nonlinearity in bilayer graphene discs. Journal of Physics: Photonics. 2021;3(1): 01LT01.Graphene patterned into plasmonic structures like ribbons or discs strongly increases the linear and nonlinear optical interaction at resonance. The nonlinear optical response is governed by hot carriers, leading to a red-shift of the plasmon frequency. In magnetic fields, the plasmon hybridizes with the cyclotron resonance, resulting in a splitting of the plasmonic absorption into two branches. Here we present how this splitting can be exploited to tune the nonlinear optical response of graphene discs. In the absence of a magnetic field, a strong pump-induced increase in on-resonant transmission can be observed, but fields in the range of 3 T can change the characteristics completely, leading to an inverted nonlinearity. A two temperature model is provided that describes the observed behavior well

Plasmonic terahertz nonlinearity in graphene disks

"Analysis_code_Final" contains the theoretical calculations. "FELmeasurements" contains the raw data of the pump-probe measurements with the FEL. "LabBook" contains the corresponding lab book pages

Plasmonic Terahertz Nonlinearity in Graphene Disks

Han JW, Chin ML, Matschy S, et al. Plasmonic Terahertz Nonlinearity in Graphene Disks. Advanced Photonics Research. 2022;3(2)