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Ultradense, deep subwavelength nanowire array photovoltaics as engineered optical thin films
1Kavli Nanoscience Institute and Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91125, United States.
Nano Letters
|October 12, 2010
Summary
This study models silicon nanowire arrays (NWAs) as optical materials. Rigorous coupled-wave analysis accurately predicts NWA optical properties, showing they behave as homogeneous birefringent materials.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Optics
Background:
- Photovoltaic devices utilize nanowire arrays (NWAs) with subwavelength features.
- Understanding the optical properties of NWAs is crucial for device performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To model the optical properties of silicon nanowire arrays (NWAs) as an optical material.
- To validate the modeling approach using photocurrent measurements and rigorous coupled-wave analysis.
Main Methods:
- Modeling a silicon nanowire array (NWA) with dimensions in the subwavelength regime.
- Utilizing rigorous coupled-wave analysis (RCWA) to simulate optical properties.
- Employing photocurrent measurements to probe absorptance and validate models.
Main Results:
- NWAs exhibit optical properties accurately modeled by RCWA.
- Densely packed NWAs behave as homogeneous birefringent materials.
- Effective optical properties are predictable using bulk dielectric functions and physical NWA models.
Conclusions:
- Rigorous coupled-wave analysis provides an accurate method for modeling NWA optical properties.
- NWAs can be treated as effective homogeneous birefringent materials for optical simulations.
- The study validates the use of photocurrent measurements for probing NWA optical characteristics.
