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Multifunctional Silicon Optoelectronics Integrated with Plasmonic Scattering Color.
1Key Lab of Nanodevices and Applications, Suzhou Institute of Nano-Tech and Nano-Bionics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) , Suzhou 215123, People's Republic of China.
ACS Nano
|December 28, 2016
Summary
Aluminum nanodisks on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated silicon enable vibrant, full-spectrum plasmonic colors and efficient photocurrent generation. This approach integrates color sorting and photoelectric conversion with minimal efficiency loss for advanced optoelectronics.
Area of Science:
- Nanophotonics and Plasmonics
- Optoelectronics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Plasmonic scattering from metallic nanoparticles creates colors, historically used in stained glass.
- Integrating nanoscatters with semiconductors enables multifunctional optoelectronic devices.
- High asymmetry in refractive index configurations can degrade plasmonic coloration efficiency and gamut.
Purpose of the Study:
- To experimentally investigate aluminum nanodisks on indium tin oxide (ITO) coated silicon for plasmonic coloration and photocurrent generation.
- To overcome efficiency and color gamut degradation in asymmetric index configurations.
- To explore the combined capabilities of nanoscale color sorting and photoelectric conversion.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of aluminum nanodisks on ITO-coated silicon substrates.
- Experimental characterization of plasmonic scattering and color sorting across the visible spectrum.
- Measurement of photocurrent generation and comparison with reference devices.
- Detailed investigation of the role of ITO as an impedance matching and Schottky contact layer.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated full-visible-range color sorting using aluminum nanodisks.
- Achieved photocurrent generation comparable to reference devices with antireflection coatings.
- Identified ITO's dual role in impedance matching for backward scattering and forming a Schottky contact with silicon.
- Showcased efficient harvesting of complementary spectrum components by plasmonic nanoscatters for charge generation.
Conclusions:
- The developed approach combines nanoscale color sorting and photoelectric conversion with negligible efficiency loss.
- Aluminum nanodisks on ITO-coated silicon offer a flexible platform for optoelectronic applications.
- Potential applications include self-powered displays, filter-free imaging, and colorful photovoltaics.
