Spontaneous emission mediated by graphene/hexagonal boron nitride/graphene sandwich structure

Abstract

Abstract Controlling the spontaneous emission of atoms or molecules is an interesting research topic in the field of quantum optics. Here we provide a perspective on modulating the interaction between two quantum emitters through a sandwich structure composed of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN). The dependence of interaction between quantum emitters on the thickness of hBN and chemical potential of graphene is investigated in detail. When the transition frequency of quantum emitter is located in the hyperbolic band of type I supported by hBN, the radiative state can be easily modulated by adjusting the chemical potential of graphene. So it is easy to switch the interaction of quantum emitters from superradiant state to subradiant state by external electric field. When the transition frequency of quantum emitter is located in hyperbolic band of type II, the system can be always in the superradiant state. We predict the further research perspectives of spontaneous emission and superradiance with the help of metasurfaces based on two-dimensional materials.