Ultrafast carrier dynamics in graphene and graphene nanostructures

Abstract

In this paper we provide a comprehensive view on the ultrafast conduction dynamics in graphene and graphene nanostructures. We show that ultrafast conduction in graphene can be well understood within a simple thermodynamic picture, by taking into account the dynamical interplay between electron heating and cooling, with the driving electric field acting as a supplier of thermal energy to graphene electron population. At the same time, the conductive properties of graphene nanostructures, such as graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), can be well explained within the concept typical for disordered materials, such as e.g. organic semiconductors - the conduction by the free charge experiencing long-range localization.