title: Graphene-protected copper and silver plasmonics.
abstract: Plasmonics has established itself as a branch of physics which promises to revolutionize data processing, improve photovoltaics, and increase sensitivity of bio-detection. A widespread use of plasmonic devices is notably hindered by high losses and the absence of stable and inexpensive metal films suitable for plasmonic applications. To this end, there has been a continuous search for alternative plasmonic materials that are also compatible with complementary metal oxide semiconductor technology. Here we show that copper and silver protected by graphene are viable candidates. Copper films covered with one to a few graphene layers show excellent plasmonic characteristics. They can be used to fabricate plasmonic devices and survive for at least a year, even in wet and corroding conditions. As a proof of concept, we use the graphene-protected copper to demonstrate dielectric loaded plasmonic waveguides and test sensitivity of surface plasmon resonances. Our results are likely to initiate wide use of graphene-protected plasmonics.
authors: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors: V G
authors: VG
authors: Kravets
authors: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Jalil
authors: 1] School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK [2] Department of Chemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul National University, Seoul, 151-747, Korea.
authors: Y-J
authors: YJ
authors: Kim
authors: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Ansell
authors: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors: D E
authors: DE
authors: Aznakayeva
authors: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Thackray
authors: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Britnell
authors: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors: B D
authors: BD
authors: Belle
authors: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Withers
authors: Institute of Technology and Innovation (ITI), University of Southern Denmark, Niels Bohrs Allé 1, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.
authors: I P
authors: IP
authors: Radko
authors: Institute of Technology and Innovation (ITI), University of Southern Denmark, Niels Bohrs Allé 1, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.
authors: Z
authors: Z
authors: Han
authors: Institute of Technology and Innovation (ITI), University of Southern Denmark, Niels Bohrs Allé 1, DK-5230 Odense M, Denmark.
authors: S I
authors: SI
authors: Bozhevolnyi
authors: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors: K S
authors: KS
authors: Novoselov
authors: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors: A K
authors: AK
authors: Geim
authors: School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
authors: A N
authors: AN
authors: Grigorenko