Research progress in graphene use in photonic and optoelectronic devices

Graphene has very significant optical and electronic properties, which attract enormous attention. As a unique two-dimensional crystal with one atom thickness, it has high electron and thermal conductivities in addition to flexibility, robustness and impermeability to gases. Its ultra-broad band optical response and excellent non-linear optical properties make it a wonderful material for developing next generation photonic and optoelectronic devices. The fabrication of graphene-based devices is compatible with the existing semiconductor process, which has stimulated lots of graphene-based hybrid silicon–CMOS (Complementary metal–oxide–semiconductor transistor) applications. Here we review the latest progress in graphene-based photonic and optoelectronic devices, ranging from pulsed lasers, modulators and photodetectors to optical sensors. Other exciting topics such as graphene surface plasmons and their terahertz applications are also discussed. arbon Materials 2014, 29(5): 329–356]