Graphene's Exceptional Thermal Conductivity for Efficient Thermo-Optical Modulation

Graphene possesses exceptional thermal conductivity, enabling effective thermo-optical modulation. It can serve as an excellent transparent thermal conductor, facilitating heat transfer from metal to silicon-based optical devices, thereby achieving wavelength tuning. However, some heat loss occurs during the transfer process, resulting in relatively low thermal tuning efficiency in this configuration. Alternatively, graphene can function as a micro and nano-heater, enabling the direct conversion of electric current into heat, enhancing heat utilization efficiency and achieving thermal tuning. This approach is illustrated in Figure 5.10(a).