Surface acoustic wave amplification by direct current-voltage supplied to graphene film

Abstract

Using a high-resolution X-Ray diffraction measurement method, the surface acoustic waves (SAW) propagation in a graphene film on the surface of a Ca3TaGa3Si2O14 (CTGS) piezoelectric crystal was investigated, where an external current was driven across the graphene film. Here we show for the first time that the application of the DC field leads to a significant enhancement of the SAW magnitude and, as a result, to amplification of the diffraction satellites. Amplification of 33.2 dB/cm for the satellite +1, and of 13.8 dB/cm for the satellite +2, at 471 MHz has been observed where the external DC voltage of +10V was applied. Amplification of SAW occurs above a DC field much smaller than that of a system using bulk semiconductor. Theoretical estimates are in reasonable agreement with our measurements and analysis of experimental data for other materials.