English

One-Atom-Thick IR Metamaterials and Transformation Optics Using Graphene

Optics 2011-01-20 v1

Abstract

Here we theoretically show, by designing and manipulating spatially inhomogeneous, non-uniform conductivity patterns across a single flake of graphene, that this single-atom-layered material can serve as a "one-atom-thick" platform for infrared metamaterials and transformation optical devices. It is known that by varying the chemical potential using gate electric and/or magnetic fields, the graphene conductivity in the THz and IR frequencies can be changed. This versatility provides the possibility that different "patches" on a single flake of graphene possess different conductivities, suggesting a mechanism to construct "single-atom-thick" IR metamaterials and transformation optical structures. Our computer simulation results pave the way for envisioning numerous IR photonic functions and metamaterial concepts-all on a "one-atom-thick" platform-of such we list a few here: edge waveguides, bent ribbon-like paths guiding light, photonic splitters and combiners, "one-atom-thick" IR scattering elements as building blocks for "flatland" metamaterials, thin strips as flatland superlenses, and "one-atom-thick" subwavelength IR lenses as tools for Fourier and transformation optics.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.1101.3585,
  title  = {One-Atom-Thick IR Metamaterials and Transformation Optics Using Graphene},
  author = {Ashkan Vakil and Nader Engheta},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1101.3585},
  year   = {2011}
}
R2 v1 2026-06-21T17:13:49.949Z