Tailoring Electron-Photon Interaction in Active 3D Photonic-Crystal Architectures
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst., Troy, NY (United States)
- Univ. of Toronto, ON (Canada)
A photonic-crystal is an artificially engineered periodic structure. It is often referred to as an “optical semiconductor” due to its unparallel capability to mold the flow-of-light on-chip, not only in plane (the x-y plane) but also along the third direction. Examples of the unique 3D control-of-light include diffraction less light-guiding, slow light, super prism, negative refraction and high-Q cavity. A new research frontier exists in which the concept of complete control-of-light is utilized to facilitate and maximize electron-photon interaction. The close proximity and strong interaction between a photonic-crystal and an electronic medium can lead to new optoelectronic properties not easily attainable by other means. In this program, we will study this new class of active photonic-crystal and to achieve improved device performances and basic discoveries. Under this program, the PI has made significant progress in the following areas: (i) We have maximized light trapping and absorption by a 3D simple-cubic photonic-crystal; By advancing the concept of simple-cubic symmetry design, we have successfully designed a super thin-film architecture for high efficiency, crystalline silicon solar cells; Most recently, we have provided a theoretical roadmap for thin-film silicon solar cells with 30% power conversion efficiency. (ii) In the modification of thermal radiation area, we have observed quasi- optical coherence in thermal radiation from a 3D metallic photonic-crystal; Furthermore, we have made a direct confirmation of super-Planckian radiation a tungsten photonic-crystal; (iii) We have made simultaneous observation of a large light diffraction-efficiency, 82%, and efficiency enhancement by a volume hologram material (PQ-PMMA) for solar concentration application. (iv) we have also successfully fabricated a 3D metal-oxide photonic crystal. We demonstrated that this TiO2 photonic crystal can achieve an effectively infinite optical path-length created using a simple-cubic photonic crystal for extreme light trapping.
- Research Organization:
- Rensselaer Polytechnic Inst., Troy, NY (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Basic Energy Sciences (BES)
- DOE Contract Number:
- FG02-06ER46347
- OSTI ID:
- 1484257
- Report Number(s):
- Final Report: DOE-RPI-46347
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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