Large area compatible broadband superabsorber surfaces in the VIS-NIR spectrum utilizing metal-insulator-metal stack and plasmonic nanoparticles

Date
2016
Advisor
Instructor
Source Title
Optics Express
Print ISSN
Electronic ISSN
1094-4087
Publisher
OSA - The Optical Society
Volume
24
Issue
16
Pages
17644 - 17653
Language
English
Type
Article
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Abstract

Plasmonically enhanced absorbing structures have been emerging as strong candidates for photovoltaic (PV) devices. We investigate metal-insulator-metal (MIM) structures that are suitable for tuning spectral absorption properties by modifying layer thicknesses. We have utilized gold and silver nanoparticles to form the top metal (M) region, obtained by dewetting process compatible with large area processes. For the middle (I) and bottom (M) layers, different dielectric materials and metals are investigated. Optimum MIM designs are discussed. We experimentally demonstrate less than 10 percent reflection for most of the visible (VIS) and near infrared (NIR) spectrum. In such stacks, computational analysis shows that the bottom metal is responsible for large portion of absorption with a peak of 80 percent at 1000 nm wavelength for chromium case.

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Other identifiers
Book Title
Keywords
Dielectric materials, Infrared devices, Metal insulator boundaries, Metal nanoparticles, Metals, Nanoparticles, Semiconductor insulator boundaries, Silver, Absorbing structure, Computational analysis, Gold and silver nanoparticles, Metal insulator metals, Metal-insulator-metal structures, Near infrared spectra, Plasmonic nanoparticle, Spectral absorptions, MIM devices
Citation
Published Version (Please cite this version)