Optical switching of a graphene mechanical switch using the Casimir effect

We propose a method to control a graphene-based mechanical switch with light. By positioning a self-supporting graphene sheet parallel to a doped silicon membrane, irradiation of the membrane with light can bring the graphene into contact with the membrane. This operation is based on the enhancement...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of applied physics 2017-09, Vol.122 (10)
Main Author: Inui, Norio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Applied physics
Carrier density
Dependence
Graphene
Irradiation
Optical switching
Photoionization
Positioning devices (machinery)
Silicon
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Summary:We propose a method to control a graphene-based mechanical switch with light. By positioning a self-supporting graphene sheet parallel to a doped silicon membrane, irradiation of the membrane with light can bring the graphene into contact with the membrane. This operation is based on the enhancement of the Casimir force between the graphene sheet and a doped silicon membrane that results from photoionization; therefore, pull-in phenomena can occur even without applying any voltage. We theoretically investigated the dependence of the maximum displacement of a graphene sheet on the power of the irradiation light. Furthermore, the switching time is estimated by analyzing the time-evolution of the carrier density in a doped silicon membrane.
ISSN:0021-8979
1089-7550
DOI:10.1063/1.4993672