Nonlinear Graphene Plasmonics: Towards All-Optical Light Manipulation on a Chip

This project will focus on theoretical and numerical studies of the novel platform for light guidance and manipulation at miniature nano-metre scale: graphene plasmonic circuits. Similar to thin metal films, graphene supports propagation of surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waves, characterized by extreme confinement of electromagnetic energy on sub-wavelength nano-metre scale. The advantages of graphene SPPs over their conventional metal analogues include:

• Much lower losses, particularly in mid-infrared
• Tunable optical response, including dynamical tuning via voltage gating
• Strong localization of graphene SPPs in a wide wavelength range
• Exceptionally strong nonlinearity of graphene
• In this project you will focus on development of nonlinear elements of graphene SPP-based plasmonic circuits, including nonlinear waveguide couplers and arrays, X- and Y-splitters, ring resonators, periodic structures. Project tasks include:
• Derivation of slow-light type models for analysis of graphene SPP propagation in various planar structures, starting from Maxwell equations with nonlinear boundary conditions.
• Numerical modelling of nonlinear graphene SPP propagation, switching, frequency conversion.
• Perturbation analysis of nonlinear stationary modes.
• Design of functional all-optical logic elements.

Applicants should have a background in the physical sciences and have or expect to gain a First or good Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent from an overseas University.

Contact Dr. Andriy Gorbach ([Email Address Removed], http://people.bath.ac.uk/ag263) for further information.