Controlling the infrared optical properties of rf-sputtered NiO films for applications of infrared window

In this paper, we will focus on an IR transmittance enhancement technique from the window material point of view by using metal oxides, especially nickel oxide (NiO). At first, anti-reflection (AR) coatings were modeled by using the optical properties of NiO films. The transmittance of the model was predicted using Swanepoel’s model and verified with NiO film prepared by rf magnetron sputtering. Also, post-deposition annealing was performed and was found to change the optical properties of the NiO film. Therefore, we analyzed the annealing effect on the IR optical properties of the NiO film. Furthermore, we confirmed the durability of the NiO film and verified the possibility of this material being used in infrared optics.     

Electrical and optical properties of Si-doped indium tin oxides as transparent electrode and anti-reflection coating for solar cells

We have studied the electrical and optical properties of Si-doped indium tin oxides (ITSOs) as transparent electrodes and anti-reflection coatings for Si-based solar cells. The ITSO thin films were obtained by co-sputtering of ITO and SiO₂ targets under target power control. The resistivity of the ITSO thin films deposited at 0.625 in terms of power ratio (ITO/SiO₂) were 391 Ωcm. In this condition, the ITSO thin films showed very high resistivity compared to sputted pure ITO thin films (1.08 × 10⁻³ Ωcm). However, refractive index of ITSO thin films deposited at the same condition at 500 nm is somewhat lowered to 1.97 compared to ITO thin films (2.06). The fabricated graded refractive index AR coatings using ITO, ITSO, and SiO₂ thin films kept over 80% of transmittance regardless of their thickness varing from 97 nm to 1196 nm because of their low extinction coefficient. As the AR coating with graded refractive indices using ITO, ITSO, and SiO₂ layers was applied to general silicon-based solar cell, the current level increased nearly twice more than that of bare silicon solar cell without AR coating.     

折射率色散效应对晶体硅太阳电池反射率的影响

为了分析色散效应对晶体硅太阳电池反射率的影响,在考虑材料折射率色散效应的情况下,运用光学干涉矩阵计算了具有SiO2单层减反射膜和MgF2/ZnS双层减反射膜晶体硅太阳电池的反射率与波长的函数关系,并与实验结果和未考虑色散效应的计算结果进行了对比分析.结果表明：考虑折射率色散效应的计算结果与实验测量数据完全相符,而未考虑折射率色散效应的计算结果与实验测量数据相差较大,最大差值分别为21.5％和16.9％.     

Implementation of anti-reflection coating to enhance light out-coupling in organic light-emitting devices

We report significant enhancement of light out-coupling in organic light-emitting devices (OLEDs) by means of anti-reflection coating of magnesium fluoride (MgF₂) on the backside of glass substrate. OLEDs were fabricated by employing the green electrophosphorescent material fac tris-(2-phenylpyridine) iridium [Ir(ppy)₃] doped in 4,4′,8-N,N-8-dicarbazole-biphenyl (CBP) and 0.4 wt% tetrafluorotetracyano-quinodimethane (F4-TCNQ)-doped naphthylphenylbiphenyl diamine (α-NPD) as hole transport layer (HTL). Single-layer MgF₂ with the thickness of λ/4 was then vacuum deposited on the backside of glass substrate of OLED. About two-fold enhancement in luminance with anti-reflection coating of MgF₂ has been observed.     

The effect of anti-reflection coating of porous silicon on solar cells efficiency

Anti-reflection coatings of solar cells have been fabricated using different techniques. The techniques used include SiO₂ thermal oxidation, ZnO/TiO₂ sputtering deposition and porous silicon prepared by electrochemical etching. Surface morphology and structural properties of solar cells were investigated by using scanning electron microscopy and atomic forces microscopy. Optical reflectance was obtained by using optical reflectometer. I-V characterizations were studied under 80 mW/cm² illumination conditions. Porous silicon was found to be an excellent anti-reflection coating against incident light when it is compared with another anti-reflection coating and exhibited good light-trapping of a wide wavelength spectrum which produced high efficiency solar cells.     

Effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone on the structure and laser damage resistance of sol–gel silica anti-reflective films

The effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on the structure and laser-induced damage threshold (LIDT) of sol–gel silica anti-reflective films is investigated. The results of dynamic light scattering, transmission electron microscopy, and small angle X-ray scattering, show that the PVP molecules surrounded the silica sol particles through the strong hydrogen bonds between Si-OH groups and the PVP. As a result, the growth of silica particles was restricted and thus the interface layer between the silica particles and the solvent become thickened with PVP content. Furthermore, the PVP reduced the porosity of the film, so the anti-reflection properties of the film were weakened. A multi-fractal analysis showed that the appropriate addition of PVP, 1 weight percent (wt%), could improve the surface fractal structure of the film, but that higher PVP content resulted in reduced surface uniformity. The addition of PVP lead to improved LIDT.     

用耦合波法分析平面镀膜分频光栅的特性

使用严格的耦合波理论分析了ICF系统的色分离光栅(CSG)特性,特别针对平面镀膜减反后的情况进行了详细的讨论.模拟计算结果表明,与未镀膜的裸光栅相比,采用文中所述方法设计的镀膜光栅有很好的减反增透效果,具有良好的应用前景.     

Comparison of nano-structured solar cell anti-reflection coating based on graded-index or mode coupling approach

Solar cell nano-structured anti-reflection coatings based on graded index (GI) and mode coupling are all proposed to significantly reduce the reflection from semiconductor–air interface. In this work, it is shown that purely graded index approach can lead to degradation of long wavelength absorption by eliminating quasi-guided mode excitation. The reason is that the physically graded layer not only provides low reflectance path from air to semiconductor, but also from semiconductor to air, leading to photon escape. This results in out-coupling of photons from the semiconductor to air. On the other hand, anti-reflection coating based on mode coupling does not suffer from degraded long wavelength absorption and it is capable of acting as one-way photon pass coating. It is found that the sidewall thickness of mode coupling anti-reflection coating has significant impact on its effectiveness for anti-reflection, and therefore the selection of process methods is critical for its low reflectance. It is proposed that the purely graded index coating is more suitable for wafer-based photovoltaics where full absorption is possible by two photon traces. The mode coupling coating is suitable for both wafer-based photovoltaics and thin-film photovoltaics since it provides not only low reflectance but also long wavelength quasi-guided mode excitations. In the end, new types of anti-reflection coating and light trapping structure are proposed to further enhance the performance.     

二维微纳米结构表面反射特性的时域有限差分法模拟研究

亚波长微纳米结构表面具有优良的抗反射特性,本文以硅基太阳能电池响应光谱的300~1 200 nm为应用基础,利用时域有限差分法计算了表面面形、结构参量的占空比、高度和周期以及光波入射角等对二维微纳米结构表面反射特性的影响,并结合等效介质理论进行了进一步理论分析,结果表明:等截面光栅结构的反射率较大,结构参量影响也较小;锥形渐变截面光栅结构的抗反射性能较好,且反射率随着占空比、结构高度的增大而显著下降;同时,光波在光栅法线的±40°范围内入射时,反射率均较小.通过对亚波长微纳米光栅结构的反射特性的模拟和分析,为抗反射表面的设计和制作提供了基础.     

Superhydrophobic,antireflective, flexible hard coatings with mechanically ultra-resilient moth-eye structure for foldable displays

Biomimetic inspiration from the moth-eye structure has led to many studies combining nanoimprint lithography (NIL) to realize low cost and large area anti-reflection (AR) coatings. However, the scope of application is severely limited by poor mechanical performance due to the intrinsic properties of the coating materials and the nanosized patterns. In this work, we demonstrate a moth-eye structured epoxy-siloxane molecular hybrid (ME-ESMH) fabricated using single UV-based NIL (UV-NIL) on a colorless polyimide (CPI), to be utilized as a flexible cover window (FCW) for foldable displays. Low reflection, a superhydrophobicity and good inward foldability were achieved, together with excellent thermal and chemical resistance. Furthermore, in situ uniaxial compression tests revealed that the fabricated structure can be elastically deformed and nearly restored to its original shape even after a large degree of compression. Our findings provide an easy-to-integrate solution for flexible hard coatings with superhydrophobic and AR properties, applicable to foldable optoelectronics.