Near‐Perfect Ultrathin Nanocomposite Absorber with Self‐Formed Topping Plasmonic Nanoparticles. Issue 18 (11th July 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lu, Jin You; Raza, Aikifa; Noorulla, Sumaya; Alketbi, Afra S.; Fang, Nicholas X.; Chen, Gang; Zhang, TieJun
• Is Part Of: Advanced optical materials. Volume 5:Issue 18(2017)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2017-07-11
• Subjects: nanocomposites -- nanoparticles -- near‐perfect absorption -- plasmonics -- solar absorbers; Optical materials -- Periodicals; Photonics -- Periodicals; 620.11295
• DOI: 10.1002/adom.201700222
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2195-1071

Abstract

Abstract : Nanocomposites, consisting of metallic nanoparticles embedding in a dielectric host, can significantly enhance light–matter interactions in solar energy conversion and optical applications. In this contribution, a class of scalable ultrathin nanocomposite films with self‐formed topping plasmonic nanoparticles is proposed. Just by controlling the high‐throughput co‐sputtering process, the nanocomposite absorbers can achieve near 100% light absorption in the wavelength ranges from 300 to 800 nm. Through systematic experiments and numerical studies, three mechanisms for this near‐perfect absorption are further revealed: impedance matching of ultrathin nanocomposite film with tunable filling factor, excitation of localized surface plasmon induced by self‐formed topping nanoparticles, and near‐field coupling between the topping nanoparticles and bottom metallic reflective layer. With these merits, the proposed ultrathin nanocomposite absorbers have demonstrated their outstanding omnidirectional absorptance over the wide solar irradiance spectrum ranging from 250 to 2000 nm. Abstract : Scalable cosputtered ultrathin nanocomposite absorbers have self‐formed topping plasmonic nanoparticles and achieve outstanding omnidirectional absorptance over the wide solar irradiance spectrum. The mechanism for near‐perfect light absorption is revealed: impedance matching of ultrathin nanocomposite film with tunable filling factor, excitation of localized surface plasmon induced by self‐formed topping nanoparticles, and near‐field coupling between the topping nanoparticles and bottom reflective layer.