Investigation of non-linear electrodynamic properties of graphene

• Applicant: Privatdozent Dr. Sergey Mikhailov
• Subject Area: Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2009 to 2015
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 104693405

Graphene - a recently discovered truly two-dimensional material consisting of a single layer of carbon atoms - demonstrates a strongly nonlinear electromagnetic response in a broad frequency range, from microwaves to optics. The research objective of this project is to develop a quantum theory of the nonlinear electromagnetic response of graphene to a uniform and non-uniform electromagnetic radiation. The effects of the second and third harmonic generation, sum- and difference frequency generation as well as four-wave mixing phenomena will be studied. A theory of a recently invented graphene based voltage tunable emitter of terahertz radiation will be developed. The effects of plasma resonances which were shown to lead to a strong enhancement of higher harmonics will be investigated. The work will be performed in close collaboration with experimental groups. It is expected that results of the project will be useful for the development of innovative graphene based devices operating at microwave through optical frequencies.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants