Graphene terahertz uncooled bolometers

Abstract: We propose the concept of a terahertz (THz) uncooled bolometer based on n-type and p-type graphene layers (GLs), constituting the absorbing regions, connected by an array of undoped graphene nanoribbons (GNRs). The GLs absorb the THz radiation with the GNR array playing the role of the barrier region (resulting in nGL-GNR-pGL bolometer). The absorption of the incident THz radiation in the GL n- and p- regions leads to variations of the effective temperature of electrons and holes and of their Fermi energy resulting in the variation of the current through the GNRs. Using the proposed device model, we calculate the dark current and the bolometer responsivity as functions of the GNR energy gap, applied voltage, and the THz frequency. We demonstrate that the proposed bolometer can surpass the hot-electron bolometers using traditional semiconductor heterostructures.