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Updated: May 28, 2026

Fabrication And Characterization Of Photonic Crystal Slow Light Waveguides And Cavities
Published on: November 30, 2012
Slow-light-enhanced upconversion for photovoltaic applications in one-dimensional photonic crystals
Craig M Johnson1, Peter J Reece, Gavin J Conibeer
1University of New South Wales, School of Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. craig.johnson@unsw.edu.au
Abstract:
We present an approach to realizing enhanced upconversion efficiency in erbium (Er)-doped photonic crystals. Slow-light-mode pumping of the first Er excited state transition can result in enhanced emission from higher-energy levels that may lead to finite subbandgap external quantum efficiency in crystalline silicon solar cells. Using a straightforward electromagnetic model, we calculate potential field enhancements of more than 18× within he slow-light mode of a one-dimensional photonic crystal and discuss design trade-offs and considerations for photovoltaics.
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