Tunable and efficient long range energy transfer via graphene plasmon modes

Abstract

We present a theoretical investigation of the energy transfer efficiency between quantum systems placed in the vicinity of a doped graphene layer using a Green's tensor formalism. The direct interaction, Förster mechanism, between donor and acceptor dipoles dominates when they are close to each other, but is modified from its free-space value due to the presence of the graphene monolayer. In particular, the Förster radius, R0, is modified from its free space value of R0 = 19nm and can reach values of 100nm. As the donor-acceptor distance is increased the direct interaction is overshadowed by the interaction via the propagating graphene plasmon mode. Due to the large propagation length of the surface plasmon mode on graphene, energy transfer efficiencies as high as 50% can still be achieved for distances as large as 300nm. The interaction via the surface plasmon mode of a graphene monolayer can be tuned.