Towards loss compensated and lasing terahertz metamaterials based on optically pumped graphene

Abstract: It is evidenced by numerical calculations that optically pumped graphene is suitable for compensating inherent loss in terahertz (THz) metamaterials. In a first step, the complex conductivity of graphene under optical pumping is calculated and the proper conditions for terahertz amplification in single layer graphene are determined. It is shown that amplification in graphene occurs for temperatures up to room temperature and for moderate pump intensities when pumped at a telecommunication wavelength $\lambda=1.5~\mathrm{\mu m}$. Furthermore, the amplification properties of graphene are evaluated and discussed at a temperature as low as $T=77~\mathrm{K}$ and a pump intensity $I=300~\mathrm{mW/mm^2}$ to investigate the coupling between graphene and a plasmonic split ring resonator (SRR) metamaterial. The contributions of ohmic and dielectric loss mechanisms are studied by full wave simulations. As a result, it is found that the loss of a split-ring resonator metamaterial can be compensated by optically stimulated amplification in graphene. Moreover, it is shown that a hybrid material consisting of asymmetric split-ring resonators and optically pumped graphene can exceed the laser threshold condition and can emit coherent THz radiation at minimum output power levels of $6 0~\mathrm{nW/mm^2}$. The use of optically pumped graphene is well suited for loss compensation in THz metamaterials and paves the way to new kinds of coherent THz sources.