Wave-packet propagation in a graphene geometric diode

Dynamics of electron wave-packets is studied using the continuum Dirac model in a graphene geometric diode where the propagation of the wave packet is favored in certain direction due to the presence of geometric constraints. Clear rectification is obtained in the THz frequency range with the maximum rectification level of 3.25, which is in good agreement with recent experiments on graphene ballistic diodes. The rectification levels are considerably higher for systems with narrower channels. In this case, the wave packet transmission probabilities and rectification rate also strongly depend on the energy of the incident wave packet, as a result of the quantum nature of energy levels along such channels. These findings can be useful for fundamental understanding of the charge carrier dynamics in graphene geometry diodes. •Dirac model is used to study wave packet dynamics in graphene geometric diode.•Rectification level of 2.38 is obtained in THz frequency range.•Diode parameters depend on the direction of the wave packet propagation.