Active Fano resonance switch using dual-layer graphene in an embedded dielectric metasurface

Abstract

We propose an active optical Fano switch (OFS) based on an embedded dielectric metasurface (EDM) including dual-layer graphene (DLG). An EDM is a dielectric grating overlapped by two cladding layers, and it excites a Fano resonance. DLG is positioned inside the upper cladding layer to maximize light-graphene interaction. Thus, with a small change of the chemical potential (µc) of graphene, a resonance wavelength is tuned to switch the OFS on and off. First, a red-parity asymmetric Fano resonance is realized, and a sharp asymmetric lineshape is achieved by controlling the structural parameters of the EDM and the interaction between the Fano resonance and additional weak Fabry–Perot interference for efficient switching. The distance of a peak-to-dip wavelength (Δλp-d) and the change of chemical potential (Δµc) for switching is analyzed by varying the duty cycle (DC) and grating thickness (tg) of the EDM. Furthermore, switching contrast as a figure of merit (FoM) is analyzed. With DC of 0.5 and tg of 70 nm, the OFS requires Δλp-d of 7.3 nm and Δµc of 0.25 eV. The FoM of 0.97 is achieved. By adjusting the two parameters, the switching condition is tuned. In the case of a blue parity, the effect of the two parameters exhibits a similar trend to that of the red parity. The FoM, however, is lower due to the reversed parity.