title: Universal distance-scaling of nonradiative energy transfer to graphene.
abstract: The near-field interaction between fluorescent emitters and graphene exhibits rich physics associated with local dipole-induced electromagnetic fields that are strongly enhanced due to the unique properties of graphene. Here, we measure emitter lifetimes as a function of emitter-graphene distance d, and find agreement with a universal scaling law, governed by the fine-structure constant. The observed energy transfer rate is in agreement with a 1/d(4) dependence that is characteristic of two-dimensional lossy media. The emitter decay rate is enhanced 90 times (energy transfer efficiency of ~99%) with respect to the decay in vacuum at distances d ≈ 5 nm. This high energy transfer rate is mainly due to the two-dimensionality and gapless character of the monatomic carbon layer. Graphene is thus shown to be an extraordinary energy sink, holding great potential for photodetection, energy harvesting, and nanophotonics.
authors.affiliation: ICFO - The Institute of Photonic Sciences, Mediterranean Technology Park, Av. Carl Friedrich Gauss 3, 08860 Castelldefels (Barcelona), Spain.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gaudreau
authors.forename: K J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Tielrooij
authors.forename: G E D K
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Prawiroatmodjo
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Osmond
authors.forename: F J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: García de Abajo
authors.forename: F H L
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Koppens