Ultrafast terahertz response in photoexcited, vertically grown few-layer graphene

The terahertz (THz) response from vertically aligned few-layer graphene samples with and without femtosecond optical excitation was investigated. The frequency-dependent optical conductivity of the photoexcited vertically aligned few-layer graphene had a strong free carrier response. Upon photoexcitation, a transient decrease in THz transmission on the subpicosecond timescale was observed. A modulation depth of nearly 16% was demonstrated in the range of the photoexcitation power used. The photoinduced ultrafast response presented here is distinct from previous studies on horizontally grown graphene. The mechanism underlying this photoconductive ultrafast response was investigated by measuring the transmission properties and by calculating the carrier density. The results of these studies are promising for the development of high-performance THz modulators and ultrafast switchable THz photoelectric devices. (C) 2016 AIP Publishing LLC.