72,550 research outputs found
Superior performance of V2O5 as hole selective contact over other transition metal oxides in silicon heterojunction solar cells
Transition metal oxides (TMOs) have recently been proved to efficiently serve as hole-selective contacts in crystalline silicon (c-Si) heterojunction solar cells. In the present work, two TMO/c-Si heterojunctions are explored using MoO3 (reference) and V2O5 as an alternative candidate. It has been found that V2O5 devices present larger (16% improvement) power conversion efficiency mainly due to their higher open-circuit voltage. While V2O5/c-Si devices with textured front surfaces exhibit larger short-circuit currents, it is also observed that flat solar cell architectures allow for passivation of the V2O5/n-Si interface, giving significant carrier lifetimes of 200 µs (equivalent to a surface recombination velocity of Seff ~140 cm s-1) as derived from impedance analysis. As a consequence, a significant open-circuit voltage of 662 mV is achieved. It is found that, at the TMO/c-Si contact, a TMO work function enhancement ¿FTMO occurs during the heterojunction formation with the consequent dipole layer enlargement ¿’=¿+¿FTMO. Our results provide new insights into the TMO/c-Si contact energetics, carrier transport across the interface and surface recombination allowing for further understanding of the nature of TMO/c-Si heterojunctions.Peer ReviewedPostprint (published version
Simulation and experimental verification of W-band finite frequency selective surfaces on infinite background with 3D full wave solver NSPWMLFMA
We present the design, processing and testing of a W-band finite by infinite and a finite by finite Grounded Frequency Selective Surfaces (FSSs) on infinite background. The 3D full wave solver Nondirective Stable Plane Wave Multilevel Fast Multipole Algorithm (NSPWMLFMA) is used to simulate the FSSs. As NSPWMLFMA solver improves the complexity matrix-vector product in an iterative solver from O(N(2)) to O(N log N) which enables the solver to simulate finite arrays with faster execution time and manageable memory requirements. The simulation results were verified by comparing them with the experimental results. The comparisons demonstrate the accuracy of the NSPWMLFMA solver. We fabricated the corresponding FSS arrays on quartz substrate with photolithographic etching techniques and characterized the vector S-parameters with a free space Millimeter Wave Vector Network Analyzer (MVNA)
Gradient metasurfaces: a review of fundamentals and applications
In the wake of intense research on metamaterials the two-dimensional
analogue, known as metasurfaces, has attracted progressively increasing
attention in recent years due to the ease of fabrication and smaller insertion
losses, while enabling an unprecedented control over spatial distributions of
transmitted and reflected optical fields. Metasurfaces represent optically thin
planar arrays of resonant subwavelength elements that can be arranged in a
strictly or quasi periodic fashion, or even in an aperiodic manner, depending
on targeted optical wavefronts to be molded with their help. This paper reviews
a broad subclass of metasurfaces, viz. gradient metasurfaces, which are devised
to exhibit spatially varying optical responses resulting in spatially varying
amplitudes, phases and polarizations of scattered fields. Starting with
introducing the concept of gradient metasurfaces, we present classification of
different metasurfaces from the viewpoint of their responses, differentiating
electrical-dipole, geometric, reflective and Huygens' metasurfaces. The
fundamental building blocks essential for the realization of metasurfaces are
then discussed in order to elucidate the underlying physics of various physical
realizations of both plasmonic and purely dielectric metasurfaces. We then
overview the main applications of gradient metasurfaces, including waveplates,
flat lenses, spiral phase plates, broadband absorbers, color printing,
holograms, polarimeters and surface wave couplers. The review is terminated
with a short section on recently developed nonlinear metasurfaces, followed by
the outlook presenting our view on possible future developments and
perspectives for future applications.Comment: Accepted for publication in Reports on Progress in Physic
Quantum-kinetic perspective on photovoltaic device operation in nanostructure-based solar cells
The implementation of a wide range of novel concepts for next-generation
high-efficiency solar cells is based on nanostructures with
configuration-tunable optoelectronic properties. On the other hand, effective
nano-optical light-trapping concepts enable the use of ultra-thin absorber
architectures. In both cases, the local density of electronic and optical
states deviates strongly from that in a homogeneous bulk material. At the same
time, non-local and coherent phenomena like tunneling or ballistic transport
become increasingly relevant. As a consequence, the semi-classical, diffusive
bulk picture conventionally assumed may no longer be appropriate to describe
the physical processes of generation, transport, and recombination governing
the photovoltaic operation of such devices. In this review, we provide a
quantum-kinetic perspective on photovoltaic device operation that reaches
beyond the limits of the standard simulation models for bulk solar cells.
Deviations from bulk physics are assessed in ultra-thin film and
nanostructure-based solar cell architectures by comparing the predictions of
the semi-classical models for key physical quantities such as absorption
coefficients, emission spectra, generation and recombination rates as well as
potentials, densities and currents with the corresponding properties as given
by a more fundamental description based on non-equilibrium quantum statistical
mechanics. This advanced approach, while paving the way to a comprehensive
quantum theory of photovoltaics, bridges simulations at microscopic material
and macroscopic device levels by providing the charge carrier dynamics at the
mesoscale.Comment: 22 pages, 8 figures; review article based on an invited talk at the
MRS Spring Meeting 2017 in Phoeni
Tailoring optical metamaterials to tune the atom-surface Casimir-Polder interaction
Metamaterials are fascinating tools that can structure not only surface
plasmons and electromagnetic waves but also electromagnetic vacuum
fluctuations. The possibility of shaping the quantum vacuum is a powerful
concept that ultimately allows engineering the interaction between macroscopic
surfaces and quantum emitters such as atoms, molecules or quantum dots. The
long-range atom-surface interaction, known as Casimir-Polder interaction, is of
fundamental importance in quantum electrodynamics but also attracts a
significant interest for platforms that interface atoms with nanophotonic
devices. Here we perform a spectroscopic selective reflection measurement of
the Casimir-Polder interaction between a Cs(6P_{3/2}) atom and a nanostructured
metallic planar metamaterial. We show that by engineering the near-field
plasmonic resonances of the metamaterial, we can successfully tune the
Casimir-Polder interaction, demonstrating both a strong enhancement and
reduction with respect to its non-resonant value. We also show an enhancement
of the atomic spontaneous emission rate due to its coupling with the evanescent
modes of the nanostructure. Probing excited state atoms next to nontrivial
tailored surfaces is a rigorous test of quantum electrodynamics. Engineering
Casimir-Polder interactions represents a significant step towards atom trapping
in the extreme near field, possibly without the use of external fields.Comment: 21 pages, 9 figure
Bandwidth control of forbidden transmission gaps in compound structures with subwavelength slits
Phase resonances in transmission compound structures with subwavelength slits
produce sharp dips in the transmission response. For all equal slits, the
wavelengths of these sharp transmission minima can be varied by changing the
width or the length of all the slits. In this paper we show that the width of
the dip, i.e., the frequency range of minimum transmittance, can be controlled
by making at least one slit different from the rest within a compound unit
cell. In particular, we investigate the effect that a change in the dielectric
filling, or in the length of a single slit produces in the transmission
response. We also analyze the scan angle behavior of these structures by means
of band diagrams, and compare them with previous results for all-equal slit
structures.Comment: 16 pages, 5 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.
Smart systems related to polypeptide sequences
Increasing interest for the application of polypeptide-based smart systems in the biomedical field has developed due to the advantages given by the peptidic sequence. This is due to characteristics of these systems, which include: biocompatibility, potential control of degradation, capability to provide a rich repertoire of biologically specific interactions, feasibility to self-assemble, possibility to combine different functionalities, and capability to give an environmentally responsive behavior. Recently, applications concerning the development of these systems are receiving greater attention since a targeted and programmable release of drugs (e.g. anti-cancer agents) can be achieved. Block copolymers are discussed due to their capability to render differently assembled architectures. Hybrid systems based on silica nanoparticles are also discussed. In both cases, the selected systems must be able to undergo fast changes in properties like solubility, shape, and dissociation or swelling capabilities. This review is structured in different chapters which explain the most recent advances on smart systems depending on the stimuli to which they are sensitive. Amphiphilic block copolymers based on polyanionic or polycationic peptides are, for example, typically employed for obtaining pH-responsive systems. Elastin-like polypeptides are usually used as thermoresponsive polymers, but performance can be increased by using techniques which utilize layer-by-layer electrostatic self-assembly. This approach offers a great potential to create multilayered systems, including nanocapsules, with different functionality. Recent strategies developed to get redox-, magnetic-, ultrasound-, enzyme-, light-and electric-responsive systems are extensively discussed. Finally, some indications concerning the possibilities of multi-responsive systems are discussed.Postprint (published version
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