DFT study on electronic and optical properties of graphene under an external electric field

Abstract

The paper investigates the electronic and optical properties of graphene, under the external electric field (Eext) according to perpendicular direction, using density functional theory (DFT). Applying the Eext to the graphene sheet modifies its electronic and optical properties, including the band gap energy, total density of states (TDOS), absorption coefficient, dielectric function, and refractive index. Graphene’s band gap is opened by the application of Eext to its structure. As a result of the effect of Eext on graphene layer, its absorption coefficient increases in the ultraviolet (UV) range and decreases in the visible range. We found that the electronic and optical properties of graphene material, can be altered by a perpendicular excitation applied to its structure.