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Guided modes in asymmetric graphene waveguides

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Abstract

An asymmetric quantum well in graphene can act as a slab waveguide for electron waves in a manner analogous to the electromagnetic waves in dielectrics. Guided modes and the probability current density are analyzed in the graphene electron waveguide induced by asymmetric electrostatic potential. The modes in an asymmetric graphene waveguide include guided modes, “cover modes”, “substrate modes” and “radiation modes”. The conditions for a guided mode are quantified. It is found that the fundamental mode is absent when both the Klein tunneling and classical motion are present. The confinement of electrons for lower order mode is stronger than for higher order mode. We hope that these characteristics in asymmetric graphene waveguide can provide potential applications in graphene-based waveguide devices.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 11204170, 61108010), and the Science and Technology Committee of Shanghai Municipality (Grant No. 11ZR1412300).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Physics, College of Sciences, Shanghai University, Shanghai, 200444, China

    Ying He, Yi Xu, Yanfang Yang & Weide Huang

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  1. Ying He
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  2. Yi Xu
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  3. Yanfang Yang
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  4. Weide Huang
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Correspondence to Ying He.

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He, Y., Xu, Y., Yang, Y. et al. Guided modes in asymmetric graphene waveguides. Appl. Phys. A 115, 895–902 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-013-7885-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-013-7885-y

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