Optimizing the Nonlinear Optical Response from Nanoantenna Arrays for Frequency Up-Conversion for Solar Cells

目的：本研究的目的是开发基于纳米天线的频率上转换器阵列，在硅具有高量子效率的波长处实现高效的非线性光响应。智力优势：该项目将促进对光子管理进行优化的等离子体纳米天线阵列的发展。应用领域，如光变频太阳能电池技术。迄今为止，在优化这些结构的非线性光学响应方面所做的工作很少，而非线性光学响应通常取决于包括材料和几何在内的多个参数。此外，该项目还提供了一个机会来研究一些尚未被充分理解的基础科学研究，例如：1)识别非线性光学响应的起源；2)确定影响纳米天线近场共振的限制因素；3)了解纳米级等离子体增强如何精确耦合到固态材料的局部非线性光学响应。更广泛的影响：这项工作有可能通过帮助革新和快速跟踪高效太阳能电池技术的发展而具有变革性，根据最近的估计，该行业正以每年约30%的速度增长，预计到2015年将增长约75亿美元。此外，通过开发等离子体增强太阳能电池和光电探测器的高中模块，将研究材料纳入纳米技术本科课程，并为来自不同背景的学生提供独特的研究生研究经验，预计这项工作将广泛影响跨学科的科学/工程教育。这项工作将通过各种学术/工业渠道广泛传播。

Objective:The aim of this research is to develop nanoantenna-based frequency up-converter arrays for efficient nonlinear optical response at wavelengths for which silicon has high quantum efficiency.Intellectual merit:This project will facilitate the development of plasmonic nanoantenna arrays that are optimized for ?photon-management? applications, e.g., optical frequency conversion solar cell technology. To-date, little work has been done on optimizing these structures for their nonlinear optical response, which, in general will depend on multiple parameters including material and geometric. In addition, this project offers an opportunity to investigate several, not well-understood, fundamental scientific studies, such as: 1) identifying the origin of the nonlinear optical response; 2) determining the limiting factors that influence the near-field resonance of nanoantennas; and 3) understanding how nanoscale plasmonic enhancement can be precisely coupled to the local nonlinear optical response in solid state materials. Broader impact:This work has the potential to be transformative by helping to revolutionize and fast-track the development of efficient solar cell technology, whereby according to recent estimates, the industry is growing at a rate of ~ 30% per year, with a predicted growth of ~$7.5B by 2015. In addition, the work is expected to broadly impact interdisciplinary science/engineering education by developing a high-school module on plasmonic-enhanced solar cells and photo detectors, incorporating research materials into an undergraduate course on nanotechnology, and providing unique graduate research experience for students from various backgrounds. The work will be broadly disseminated through various academic/industrial channels.