Dynamic effects in double graphene-layer structures with inter-layer resonant-tunnelling negative conductivity

We study the dynamic effects in the double graphene-layer (GL) structures with the resonant-tunnelling (RT) and the negative differential inter-GL conductivity. Using the developed model, which accounts for the excitation of self-consistent oscillations of the electron and hole densities and the ac electric field between GLs (plasma oscillations), we calculate the admittance of the double-GL RT structures as a function of the signal frequency and applied voltages, and the spectrum and increment/decrement of plasma oscillations. Our results show that the electron–hole plasma in the double-GL RT structures with realistic parameters is stable with respect to the self-excitation of plasma oscillations and aperiodic perturbations. The stability of the electron–hole plasma at the bias voltages corresponding to the inter-GL RT and strong nonlinearity of the RT current–voltage characteristics enable using the double-GL RT structures for detection of teraherz (THz) radiation. The excitation of plasma oscillations by the incoming THz radiation can result in a sharp resonant dependence of detector responsivity on radiation frequency and the bias voltage. Due to a strong nonlinearity of the current–voltage characteristics of the double-GL structures at RT and the resonant excitation of plasma oscillations, the maximum responsivity, RVmax, can markedly exceed the values (104–105) V W−1 at room temperature. (paper)