Review of graphene for the generation, manipulation, and detection of electromagnetic fields from microwave to terahertz

Abstract

AbstractGraphene has attracted considerable attention ever since the discovery of its unprecedented properties, including its extraordinary and tunable electronic and optical properties. In particular, applications within the microwave to terahertz frequency spectrum can benefit from graphene’s high electrical conductivity, mechanical flexibility and robustness, transparency, support of surface-plasmon-polaritons, and the possibility of dynamic tunability with direct current to light sources. This review aims to provide an in-depth analysis of current trends, challenges, and prospects within the research areas of generating, manipulating, and detecting electromagnetic fields using graphene-based devices that operate from microwave to terahertz frequencies. The properties of and models describing graphene are reviewed first, notably those of importance to electromagnetic applications. State-of-the-art graphene-based antennas, such as resonant and leaky-wave antennas, are discussed next. A critical evaluation of the performance and limitations within each particular technology is given. Graphene-based metasurfaces and devices used to manipulate electromagnetic fields, e.g. wavefront engineering, are then examined. Lastly, the state-of-the-art of detecting electromagnetic fields using graphene-based devices is discussed.