Quasi-transverse electromagnetic modes supported by a graphene parallel-plate waveguide

A model is developed for a parallel-plate waveguide formed by graphene. The graphene is represented by an infinitesimally thin, local two-sided surface characterized by a surface conductivity obtained from the Kubo formula. Maxwell's equations are solved for the model fields guided by the graphene layers. It is shown that despite the extreme thinness of its walls, a graphene parallel-plate waveguide can guide quasi-transverse electromagnetic modes with attenuation similar to structures composed of metals, while providing some control over propagation characteristics via the charge density or chemical potential. Given the interest in developing graphene electronics, such waveguides may be of interest in future applications. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics. [DOI: 10.1063/1.3005881]