Terahertz generation through coherent excitation of surface plasmon polaritons in an array of carbon nanotubes
Sergey G. Moiseev,1,2 Sergey A. Afanas’ev,1 Aleksei S. Kadochkin,1,3 Dmitry G. Sannikov,1 1 Ulyanovsk State University, Ulyanovsk, Russia 2 Kotelnikov IRE RAS, Ulyanovsk Branch, Ulyanovsk, Russia 3 Scientific-Manufacturing Complex "Technological Centre», Zelenograd, Moscow, Russia
Abstract
We propose a scheme of a terahertz (THz) generator based on an array of parallel double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs) irradiated by two laser beams with slightly different frequencies in the near-IR range. Beating of two laser beams creates an initial perturbation of the electronic subsystem of the nanotubes, leading to the generation of synchronized surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs). DWNTs support ultra-slow SPPs with a frequency of up to 20 THz and high Q-factor (Q>100). These SPP modes are amplified by the pump current created by a constant electric potential difference applied to the nanotube ends. The effect of SPPs on the direct pump current leads to the formation of additional high-frequency currents in DWCNTs. As a result, an array of DWCNTs excited by coherent laser sources becomes a system of phased emitters operating at frequencies of several THz. High-frequency currents on the DWCNT walls provide THz radiation to the far zone due to the antenna effect. The proposed model of a carbon nanotube generator may be useful for the development of compact sources of coherent THz radiation.
This work was supported by the Russian Science Foundation ( project 23-19-00880).
Speaker
Dmitry G. Sannikov
Ulyanovsk State University
Russia
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