Strong absorption near exceptional points in plasmonic waveguide arrays

We investigate the exceptional points (EPs) in plasmonic waveguide arrays, including metallic waveguide arrays (MWAs) and graphene sheet arrays (GSAs). The EPs emerge at the boundary of strong and weak coupling ranges in both systems. The cross conversion of Bloch modes and variation of geometric phase can be observed by encircling an EP in the parametric space. We also show the Bloch modes exhibit strong absorption in the vicinity of EPs in GSAs, which originates from the enhanced longitude electric field along the propagation direction. The abnormal absorption and field enhancement also arise in ultrathin MWAs and disappear when the thickness of metal film increases. Our results may find applications in optical switches and sensors at the nanoscale.     

The optical transmission characteristics through coupled metallic nanotube arrays

The plasmonic properties in coupled metallic nanotube arrays are investigated theoretically by the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method. We calculate the transmission spectra and the electric field distributions. We show that there is a photonic band gap over a wide optical wavelength range and the transmission spectrum depends strongly on the inner radii, the separation distance and the number of the nanotubes. Based on the localized nature of the field distribution, we also clearly show that the presence of local plasmon resonant modes that originate from multipolar plasmon polaritons and a big magnitude of opposing surface charges build up in the gap between adjacent nanotubes.     

Tunable optical transmission through square-core metallic nanotube arrays

We propose a square-core metallic nanotube array and investigate its optical transmission property theoretically. We find that the transmission spectra can be tuned by the width of square-core edge, the intertube spacing and the dielectric constants of the core and the embedding medium between the nanotubes. We show that there is a band gap over a wide optical wavelength, and its width, number and position are sensitive to the tunable parameters. We also discuss the situation of the rectangular-core nanotube arrays and present that modification of the size of internal holes leads to redshift of the transmission spectra. Based on the localized nature of the field distributions, we show that there are local plasmonic resonant modes that originate from multipolar plasmon polaritons and a large number of opposing surface charges build up in the gap between adjacent nanotubes.     

Effect of intrinsic ZnO thickness on the performance of SnS/CdS-based thin-film solar cells

Tin monosulfide (SnS) has promising properties as an absorber material for thin-film solar cells (TFSCs). SnS/CdS-based TFSCs have the following device structure: SLG/Mo/SnS/CdS/i-ZnO/AZO/Al. The optimization of thickness of intrinsic zinc oxide (i-ZnO) for SnS-absorber layers and its impact on SnS/CdS heterojunction TFSCs has been investigated at different thicknesses ranging from 39 nm to 73 nm. With the increase in thickness of i-ZnO from 39 nm to 45 nm, the overall performance improved. The highest PCE of 3.50% (with V_OC of 0.334 V, J_SC of 18.9 mA cm⁻², and FF of 55.5%) was observed for 45 nm-thick i-ZnO layers. Upon a further increase in the i-ZnO thickness to 73 nm, the device performance deteriorated, indicating that the optimum thickness of the i-ZnO is 45 nm. The device performances were analyzed comprehensively for different i-ZnO thicknesses.     

超薄高速率单结微晶硅薄膜电池及其叠层电池

采用甚高频等离子体增强化学气相沉积技术, 基于优化表面形貌及光电特性的溅射后腐蚀ZnO:Al衬底, 将通过调控工艺参数获得的器件质量级高速微晶硅(μupc-Si:H )材料(沉积速率达10.57 Å/s)应用到微晶硅单结电池中, 获得了初始效率达7.49%的高速率超薄微晶硅单结太阳电池(本征层厚度为1.1 μm). 并提出插入n型微晶硅和p型微晶硅的隧穿复合结, 实现了非晶硅顶电池和微晶硅底电池之间的低损电连接, 由此获得了初始效率高达12.03% (V_oc=1.48 eV, J_sc=11.67 mA/cm², FF=69.59%)的非晶硅/微晶硅超薄双结叠层电池(总厚度为1.48 μm), 为实现低成本生产太阳电池奠定了基础.     

Controlled plasmon-enhanced fluorescence by spherical microcavity

A surrounding electromagnetic environment can engineer spontaneous emissions from quantum emitters through the Purcell effect. For instance, a plasmonic antenna can efficiently confine an electromagnetic field and enhance the fluorescent process. In this study, we demonstrate that a photonic microcavity can modulate plasmon-enhanced fluorescence by engineering the local electromagnetic environment. Consequently, we constructed a plasmon-enhanced emitter (PE-emitter), which comprised a nanorod and a nanodiamond, using the nanomanipulation technique. Furthermore, we controlled a polystyrene sphere approaching the PE-emitter and investigated in situ the associated fluorescent spectrum and lifetime. The emission of PE-emitter can be enhanced resonantly at the photonic modes as compared to that within the free spectral range. The spectral shape modulated by photonic modes is independent of the separation between the PS sphere and PE-emitter. The band integral of the fluorescence decay rate can be enhanced or suppressed after the PS sphere couples to the PE-emitters, depending on the coupling strength between the plasmonic antenna and the photonic cavity. These findings can be utilized in sensing and imaging applications.     

Nanoscale smoothing of plasmonic films and structures using gas cluster ion beam irradiation

We present a novel method of using gas cluster ion beam irradiation (GCIB) to flatten and widen grains in silver films and structures, while simultaneously, reducing the film thickness with nanometer precision. Ultrathin Ag films produced by GCIB have lower absorbance and better adhesion compared to as-deposited films. By applying the technique post-fabrication to plasmonic color filters, waveguides and disks, we show that an enhanced surface plasmon resonance and propagation length can be achieved.     

A novel plasmonic refractive index sensor based on gold/silicon complementary grating structure

A novel complementary grating structure is proposed for plasmonic refractive index sensing due to its strong resonance at near-infrared wavelength.The reflection spectra and the electric field distributions are obtained via the finite-difference time-domain method.Numerical simulation results show that multiple surface plasmon resonance modes can be excited in this novel structure.Subsequently,one of the resonance modes shows appreciable potential in refractive index sensing due to its wide range of action with the environment of the analyte.After optimizing the grating geometric variables of the structure,the designed structure shows the stable sensing performance with a high refractive index sensitivity of 1642 nm per refractive index unit(nm/RIU)and the figure of merit of 409 RIU^-1.The promising simulation results indicate that such a sensor has a broad application prospect in biochemistry.     

表面等离子激元与F-P共振耦合平衡钙钛矿太阳能电池有源层内载流子产生速率

为提高有机-无机杂化钙钛矿太阳能电池（PSCs）光吸收效率、平衡有源层中载流子产生速率,将周期性纳米光栅结构引入到PSCs器件结构中。分析了光栅周期、光栅高度和有源层厚度对表面等离子激元（SPPs）与法布里-珀罗（F-P）共振耦合模式的影响。通过改变光栅周期,实现了SPPs与F-P共振耦合波长范围与钙钛矿材料的弱吸收光谱区域相重合,同时光栅高度的增加可以增大耦合模式的光谱宽度。SPPs与F-P共振耦合模式实现了金属电极与电子传输层（ETL）界面处的局域电场增强。结果表明:场增强效应扩展到有源区,有效提高了PSCs有源层远入射光侧在570~800 nm波长范围内的光吸收,进而提高了有源层远入射光区域的载流子产生速率。当光栅周期为250 nm、光栅高度为50 nm、源层厚度为300 nm时,PSCs在太阳光弱吸收光谱区域内的本征吸收提高了~12%,有源层远入射光侧载流子产生速率提高了~41%。     

表面等离子体-微腔激元对顶入射有机薄膜太阳能电池光吸收效率的增强

为了提高顶入射有机薄膜太阳能电池(TOSCs)的光吸收效率,我们将周期性矩形光栅结构引入到TOSCs中,分析了具有光栅结构的空气/Ag_1/有源层/Ag_2/空气(IMIMI)结构理想模型中复合表面等离子激元(SPPs)与微腔模式的耦合机制。通过调节光栅周期和有源层厚度,实现了复合SPPs、微腔模式以及有机材料本征吸收3个区域的重合。由于复合SPPs与微腔模式的反交叉耦合作用形成了表面等离子体-微腔激元,其局域场增强作用有效地提高了有源层的光吸收效率,提高了近19%。     

Preparation of Ga-doped ZnO films by pulsed dc magnetron sputtering with cylindrical rotating target for thin film solar cell applications

Applicability of Ga-doped ZnO (GZO) films for thin film solar cells (TFSCs) was investigated by preparing GZO films via pulsed dc magnetron sputtering (PDMS) with rotating target. The GZO films showed improved crystallinity and increasing degree of Ga doping with increasing thickness to a limit of 1000 nm. The films also fulfilled requirements for the transparent electrodes of TFSCs in terms of electrical and optical properties. Moreover, the films exhibited good texturing potential based on etching studies with diluted HCl, which yielded an improved light trapping capability without significant degradation in electrical propreties. It is therefore suggested that the surface-textured GZO films prepared via PDMS and etching are promising candidates for indium-free transparent electrodes for TFSCs.     

Plasmon-induced absorption in stacked metamaterials based on phase retardation

In this paper, based on the constructive interference of plasmonic dipolar and quadrupolar modes, a classical analogue of electromagnetically induced absorption （EIA） is demonstrated theoretically in a stacked metamaterial consisting of a short metal strip （which acts as a bright resonator） and a long metal strip （acting as a dark resonator）, which has been reported to support the electromagnetically induced transparency （EIT） effect. The transition from EIA to EIT can be clearly observed in the absorbance spectra via varying the vertical spacing between two resonant oscillators. With the help of the coupled two-oscillator model, the phase shift between the bright and dark resonance modes is calculated by fitting the simulated absorbance spectra, which reveals the physical mechanisms behind constructive and destructive interference effects in EIT/EIA metamaterials.     

Ultrafast dynamics of surface plasmon polaritons in plasmonic metamaterials

Using near-field scanning optical microscopy and ultrafast laser spectroscopy, we study the linear optical properties of subwavelength nanoslit and nanohole arrays in metal films, which are prototype structures for novel plasmonic metamaterials. Near-field microscopy provides direct evidence for surface plasmon polariton (SPP) excitation and allows for spatial imaging of the corresponding SPP modes. By employing spectral interferometry with ultrashort 11-fs light pulses, we directly reconstruct the temporal structure of the electric field of these pulses as they are transmitted through the metallic nanostructures. The analysis of these data allows for a quantitative extraction of the plasmonic band structure and the radiative damping of the corresponding SPP modes. Clear evidence for plasmonic band gap formation is given. Our results reveal that the coherent coupling between different SPP modes can result in a pronounced suppression of radiative SPP damping, increasing the SPP lifetime from 30 fs to more than 200 fs. These findings are relevant for optimizing and manipulating the optical properties of novel nano-plasmonic devices. PACS 42.70.Qs; 07.79.Fc; 42.25.-p     

一种温控的可调表面等离子体光学器件

设计加工了一个三层结构的表面等离子体光学吸收器件,表层结构为规则排列的金质椭圆形微粒。入射电磁波与椭圆形金粒作用激发表面等离子体共振时,由于沿长短轴方向谐振频率不同,使得该器件实现了在近红外谱段两个频率处对入射光近100%的吸收。实验样品用电子束曝光技术加工,实验测量与仿真设计结果一致。此外,由于改变器件表面介质的折射率可以有效调谐器件的谐振特性,通过在器件表面覆盖一向列型液晶层并由温度控制液晶层的折射率,实现了一种温控的可调表面等离子光学吸收器件,调节过程简单可靠并且可重复实现,调节范围达22nm。该器件由于其高吸收效率和可调谐特性,可在太阳能电池以及未来光子集成电路等方面得到重要应用。     

Enhanced light absorption in thin-film tandem solar cells using a bottom metallic nanograting

We introduced a metallic nanograting at the bottom of thin-film tandem solar cells, and carried out an investigation into the light absorption in the top and bottom cells via the electromagnetic simulation. It indicates that broadband and polarization-insensitive light absorption enhancement can be obtained in the bottom cell, while the light absorption in the top cell remains unchanged by the influence of the added metallic nanograting. An overall carrier generation enhancement reaches as much as 60 % for both incident polarizations. This absorption enhancement can survive in a wide range of the cell thickness and the nanograting geometries, which enables us to reduce the thickness of the bottom cell with minimal impact on the light absorption. Thereby, this design could reduce the solar cell production cost, and meanwhile could enhance the solar cell efficiency by decreasing the light-generated carrier recombination rate.     

Ultra-broadband absorber based on cascaded nanodisk arrays

An ultra-broadband perfect absorber consisting of cascaded nanodisk arrays is demonstrated by placing insulator-metal-insulator-metal nanodisks on insulator-metal film stacks. The absorber shows over 90% absorption in a wavelength range between 600 nm and 4000 nm under transverse magnetic (TM) polarization, with an average absorptivity of 91.5% and a relative absorption bandwidth of 147.8%. The analysis of the electric field and magnetic field show that the synergy of localized surface plasmons, propagating surface plasmons, and plasmonic resonant cavity modes leads to the ultra-broadband perfect absorption, which accords well with the results of impedance-matched analysis. The influences of structural parameters and different metal materials on absorption performance are discussed. Furthermore, the absorber is polarization-independent, and the absorption remains more than 90% at a wide incident angle up to 40° under TE polarization and TM polarization. The designed ultra-broadband absorber has promising prospects in photoelectric detection and imaging.     

Optimization of Si solar cells with full band optical absorption increased in all polarizations using plasmonic backcontact grating

We present a numerical study on the optimization of plasmonic thin-film solar cells with full band optical absorption increased in all polarization using plasmonic backcontact gratings. Particle swarm optimization (PSO) and the finite-difference time domain (FDTD) are combined to achieve the maximum absorption enhancement. Through optimization, we obtained approximately a 288% average absorption enhancement, 304% and 273% absorption enhancement for TE- and TM-polarized illumination as compared to a bare cell. The corresponding optimal design parameters of plasmonic solar cell are P = 442 nm, h₄ = 283 nm, h₅ = 191 nm and w=238$w=238$ nm. The full band absorption enhancement arises from the waveguide-plasmon-polariton, Fabry–Pérot (FP) cavity mode and multiresonant guided modes. The average absorption enhancement under an unpolarized illumination is almost immune to the incident angle ranging from −40° to 40°. If the thickness of the light absorbing layer is increased, the absorption enhancement could be reduced significantly. And the average absorption enhancement is maximum (2.88) when the thickness of Si layer is 100 nm.     

Wideband optical absorber based on plasmonic metamaterial cross structure

The optical absorber with Fano response is valuable for various applications such as solar cells or optical sensors. In this paper, we have modeled an optical plasmonic metamaterial absorber which contains a broken cross as an elementary cell along with four rectangular loads to improve the absorbance and achieve a Fano response within a wide bandwidth at 190–245 THz (25%). The bandwidth of the proposed structure is more than conventional metamaterial absorbers. The prototype absorber has a remarkable enhancement in the electric field in comparison with the simple cross model and the reflection value has reduced to ??47 dB. The parametric studies show how the gap capacitance controls the bandwidth, resonance frequency and the reflection value of the absorber, therefore we can consider this technique as a way to enhance the metamaterial absorber’s bandwidth. The proposed structure can be used as an optical refractive index sensor while the Fano line-shape provides a higher figure of merit (FOM) compared with many others. For this structure, the FOM has obtained as 10,660. The Finite Integration Technique with Perfect Boundary Approximation used for the simulation.     

Plasmon enhanced light trapping in thin film GaAs solar cells by Al nanoparticle array

Light trapping is a crucial factor to enhance the performance of thin film solar cells. For effective light trapping, we introduced Al nanoparticle array on the top and rear surface of thin film GaAs solar cells. The effect of both array on the optical absorption and current density of solar cells is investigated by using finite difference time domain (FDTD) method. The optimization process of top and rear array in solar cells is done systematically. The results indicate that by plasmonic action of arrays, the optical absorption is significantly enhanced and optimized structure yields a current density of 25.77 mA/cm². These enhancements are mainly attributed to surface plasmon effects induced by Al nanoparticles and the light grating properties of the arrays.     

Towards Optimal Disorder in Gold Nanosponges for Long‐Lived Localized Plasmonic Modes

The potential of disorder to confine and enhance electromagnetic fields is well known and localized fields in turn can be used for non‐linear optical sensing and for studying quantum optics. Recently, nanoporous gold nanoparticles (nanosponges) were shown to support highly localized long‐lived plasmonic modes in the infrared spectral range. In this paper, we take first steps towards tailoring the disorder for optimal field localization and enhancement by calculating extinction and near‐field properties for different filling fractions and correlation lengths. We find that the filling fraction has not only a large effect on the fundamental dipolar surface‐plasmon resonance of the nanoparticle, but also on the frequency range in which localized modes of plasmonic nature occur. The influence of the correlation length is more subtle but is seen to influence the coupling between localized and far‐field modes as well. We briefly discuss first results on details of the localization process, which takes place on the same length scale as the typical structure size, so a simple cavity‐resonance picture cannot account for the relatively low frequency of the modes.