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Broadband Anti-Reflective Coating Based on Plasmonic Nanocomposite
Mehdi Keshavarz Hedayati1, Moheb Abdelaziz2, Christoph Etrich3
1Nanochemistry and Nanoengineering, Institute for Materials Science, Faculty of Engineering, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, Kiel 24143, Germany. mke@tf.uni-kiel.de.
Materials (Basel, Switzerland)
|August 5, 2017
Summary
This study introduces a novel gold-silica nanocomposite for broadband anti-reflective coatings (ARC). The ultrathin ARC significantly reduces silicon reflectivity across visible and near-infrared spectra, with negligible angular sensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Optics
- Nanotechnology
Background:
- Silicon substrates are widely used but suffer from high reflectivity, limiting their efficiency in optical applications.
- Existing anti-reflective coatings (ARCs) often have limitations in bandwidth, thickness, or angular performance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and characterize a novel broadband anti-reflective coating (ARC) for silicon substrates using a gold-silica nanocomposite.
- To investigate the optical properties and performance of the ARC for visible and near-infrared (NIR) wavelengths.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication and characterization of a two-layer ARC comprising a gold-silica nanocomposite and a pure silica film.
- Optical simulations and experimental validation of the ARC's anti-reflective properties.
- Tuning the ARC performance by adjusting the volume filling fraction of gold clusters.
Main Results:
- Achieved average reflectivity of silicon below 0.1% across the entire visible spectrum.
- Demonstrated anti-reflectivity up to the NIR with a 20 nm thick percolated nanocomposite.
- Showcased a tunable ARC bandwidth exceeding 500 nm, covering NIR wavelengths.
- Confirmed negligible angular sensitivity up to 60 degrees.
Conclusions:
- The developed gold-silica nanocomposite ARC offers exceptional broadband anti-reflection for silicon.
- The ultrathin and wide-angle tolerant nature of the ARC makes it suitable for advanced applications.
- Potential applications include thermo-photovoltaics and bolometers.
