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Speckle lithography for fabricating Gaussian, quasi-random 2D structures and black silicon structures
Jayachandra Bingi1, Vadakke Matham Murukeshan1
1Center for Optical and Laser Engineering, School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Nanyang technological University, Singapore 639798.
Scientific Reports
|December 19, 2015
Summary
This study introduces speckle lithography, a novel technique that utilizes laser speckle patterns to create controlled random surface structures. This method enables predictable fabrication of black silicon and disordered photonic structures for enhanced light trapping and energy harvesting.
Area of Science:
- Optics and Photonics
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Laser speckle patterns, typically viewed as noise in optical systems like photolithography, arise from random coherent wavelet interference.
- Existing methods for fabricating random structures often lack precise control over randomness and feature characteristics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To repurpose laser speckle patterns for the controlled, predictable fabrication of Gaussian random and quasi-random structures using photolithography.
- To demonstrate the application of this technique in creating tunable black silicon surfaces and disordered photonic structures.
Main Methods:
- Speckle lithography technique employing laser speckle patterns.
- Quantification of fabricated random structures using speckle statistics, radial distribution function (RDF), and fast Fourier transform (FFT).
- Control over speckle size, density, and clustering to tailor surface morphology.
Main Results:
- Successful fabrication of predictable 2D Gaussian random structures and black silicon with diverse surface topographies.
- Demonstrated control over randomness, speckle size, density, and clustering.
- Quantified structural properties using statistical and transform methods.
Conclusions:
- Speckle lithography offers a robust and tunable method for fabricating predictable random structures.
- The fabricated structures significantly enhance light trapping in solar cells, leading to improved energy harvesting.
- This technique is suitable for efficient fabrication of disordered photonic devices and random media-based applications.
