scholarly journals Gain and plasmon dynamics in active negative-index metamaterials

2011 ◽  
Vol 369 (1950) ◽  
pp. 3525-3550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sebastian Wuestner ◽  
Andreas Pusch ◽  
Kosmas L. Tsakmakidis ◽  
Joachim M. Hamm ◽  
Ortwin Hess
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Field Enhancement ◽  
Plasmonic Nanostructures ◽  
Saturation Field ◽  
Pump Probe ◽  
Nano Structures ◽  
Loss Compensation ◽  
Temporal Interaction ◽  
Bound Electrons ◽  
Insight Into

Photonic metamaterials allow for a range of exciting applications unattainable with ordinary dielectrics. However, the metallic nature of their meta-atoms may result in increased optical losses. Gain-enhanced metamaterials are a potential solution to this problem, but the conception of realistic, three-dimensional designs is a challenging task. Starting from fundamental electrodynamic and quantum mechanical equations, we establish and deploy a rigorous theoretical model for the spatial and temporal interaction of lightwaves with free and bound electrons inside and around metallic (nano-) structures and gain media. The derived numerical framework allows us to self-consistently study the dynamics and impact of the coherent plasmon–gain interaction, nonlinear saturation, field enhancement, radiative damping and spatial dispersion. Using numerical pump–probe experiments on a double-fishnet metamaterial structure with dye molecule inclusions, we investigate the build-up of the inversion profile and the formation of the plasmonic modes in a low- Q cavity. We find that full loss compensation occurs in a regime where the real part of the effective refractive index of the metamaterial becomes more negative compared to the passive case. Our results provide a deep insight into how internal processes affect the overall optical properties of active photonic metamaterials fostering new approaches to the design of practical, loss-compensated plasmonic nanostructures.

scholarly journals Arrays of Plasmonic Nanostructures for Absorption Enhancement in Perovskite Thin Films

Nanomaterials ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 1342 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianyi Shen ◽  
Qiwen Tan ◽  
Zhenghong Dai ◽  
Nitin P. Padture ◽  
Domenico Pacifici
Keyword(s):  
Thin Film ◽  
Perovskite Solar Cells ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Field Enhancement ◽  
Absorption Enhancement ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Plasmonic Nanostructures ◽  
Lead Iodide ◽  
Theoretical Simulation ◽  
Cavity Effects

We report optical characterization and theoretical simulation of plasmon enhanced methylammonium lead iodide (MAPbI 3 ) thin-film perovskite solar cells. Specifically, various nanohole (NH) and nanodisk (ND) arrays are fabricated on gold/MAPbI 3 interfaces. Significant absorption enhancement is observed experimentally in 75 nm and 110 nm-thick perovskite films. As a result of increased light scattering by plasmonic concentrators, the original Fabry–Pérot thin-film cavity effects are suppressed in specific structures. However, thanks to field enhancement caused by plasmonic resonances and in-plane interference of propagating surface plasmon polaritons, the calculated overall power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the solar cell is expected to increase by up to 45.5%, compared to its flat counterpart. The role of different geometry parameters of the nanostructure arrays is further investigated using three dimensional (3D) finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, which makes it possible to identify the physical origin of the absorption enhancement as a function of wavelength and design parameters. These findings demonstrate the potential of plasmonic nanostructures in further enhancing the performance of photovoltaic devices based on thin-film perovskites.

Structure and function of neural networks in the retina

1988 ◽  
Vol 46 ◽  
pp. 26-27
Author(s):  
Peter Sterling
Keyword(s):  
Ganglion Cells ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Synaptic Connections ◽  
Visual Axis ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Cat Retina ◽  
Ultrathin Sections ◽  
And Function ◽  
Insight Into

The synaptic connections in cat retina that link photoreceptors to ganglion cells have been analyzed quantitatively. Our approach has been to prepare serial, ultrathin sections and photograph en montage at low magnification (˜2000X) in the electron microscope. Six series, 100-300 sections long, have been prepared over the last decade. They derive from different cats but always from the same region of retina, about one degree from the center of the visual axis. The material has been analyzed by reconstructing adjacent neurons in each array and then identifying systematically the synaptic connections between arrays. Most reconstructions were done manually by tracing the outlines of processes in successive sections onto acetate sheets aligned on a cartoonist's jig. The tracings were then digitized, stacked by computer, and printed with the hidden lines removed. The results have provided rather than the usual one-dimensional account of pathways, a three-dimensional account of circuits. From this has emerged insight into the functional architecture.

Scanning-tunneling spectroscopy on conjugated polymer films

2003 ◽  
Vol 771 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Kemerink ◽  
S.F. Alvarado ◽  
P.M. Koenraad ◽  
R.A.J. Janssen ◽  
H.W.M. Salemink ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Polymer Films ◽  
Conjugated Polymer ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Field Enhancement ◽  
Direct Consequence ◽  
Scanning Tunneling Spectroscopy ◽  
Tunneling Spectroscopy ◽  
Band Alignment ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Order Of Magnitude

AbstractScanning-tunneling spectroscopy experiments have been performed on conjugated polymer films and have been compared to a three-dimensional numerical model for charge injection and transport. It is found that field enhancement near the tip apex leads to significant changes in the injected current, which can amount to more than an order of magnitude, and can even change the polarity of the dominant charge carrier. As a direct consequence, the single-particle band gap and band alignment of the organic material can be directly obtained from tip height-voltage (z-V) curves, provided that the tip has a sufficiently sharp apex.

scholarly journals Ultra-high-Q resonances in plasmonic metasurfaces

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Saad Bin-Alam ◽  
Orad Reshef ◽  
Yaryna Mamchur ◽  
M. Zahirul Alam ◽  
Graham Carlow ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Incident Light ◽  
Reducing Power ◽  
Field Enhancement ◽  
Plasmonic Nanostructures ◽  
High Q ◽  
Alternative Material ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Wavelength Scale ◽  
Strong Confinement ◽  
Sub Wavelength

AbstractPlasmonic nanostructures hold promise for the realization of ultra-thin sub-wavelength devices, reducing power operating thresholds and enabling nonlinear optical functionality in metasurfaces. However, this promise is substantially undercut by absorption introduced by resistive losses, causing the metasurface community to turn away from plasmonics in favour of alternative material platforms (e.g., dielectrics) that provide weaker field enhancement, but more tolerable losses. Here, we report a plasmonic metasurface with a quality-factor (Q-factor) of 2340 in the telecommunication C band by exploiting surface lattice resonances (SLRs), exceeding the record by an order of magnitude. Additionally, we show that SLRs retain many of the same benefits as localized plasmonic resonances, such as field enhancement and strong confinement of light along the metal surface. Our results demonstrate that SLRs provide an exciting and unexplored method to tailor incident light fields, and could pave the way to flexible wavelength-scale devices for any optical resonating application.

scholarly journals Completely non-fused electron acceptor with 3D-interpenetrated crystalline structure enables efficient and stable organic solar cell

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lijiao Ma ◽  
Shaoqing Zhang ◽  
Jincheng Zhu ◽  
Jingwen Wang ◽  
Junzhen Ren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Organic Solar Cell ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Molecular Geometry ◽  
Interpenetrating Network ◽  
Fused Ring ◽  
Molecule Design ◽  
End Capping ◽  
Conversion Efficiencies ◽  
Insight Into

AbstractNon-fullerene acceptors (NFAs) based on non-fused conjugated structures have more potential to realize low-cost organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells. However, their power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) are much lower than those of the fused-ring NFAs. Herein, a new bithiophene-based non-fused core (TT-Pi) featuring good planarity as well as large steric hindrance was designed, based on which a completely non-fused NFA, A4T-16, was developed. The single-crystal result of A4T-16 reveals that a three-dimensional interpenetrating network can be formed due to the compact π–π stacking between the adjacent end-capping groups. A high PCE of 15.2% is achieved based on PBDB-TF:A4T-16, which is the highest value for the cells based on the non-fused NFAs. Notably, the device retains ~84% of its initial PCE after 1300 h under the simulated AM 1.5 G illumination (100 mW cm−2). Overall, this work provides insight into molecule design of the non-fused NFAs from the aspect of molecular geometry control.

scholarly journals The distribution of myosin II in Dictyostelium discoideum slug cells.

1991 ◽  
Vol 115 (5) ◽  
pp. 1267-1274 ◽  
Author(s):  
S Eliott ◽  
P H Vardy ◽  
K L Williams
Keyword(s):  
Cell Motility ◽  
Dictyostelium Discoideum ◽  
Immunofluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Molecular Genetic ◽  
Myosin Ii ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Homogeneous Distribution ◽  
Multicellular Development ◽  
Insight Into

While the role of myosin II in muscle contraction has been well characterized, less is known about the role of myosin II in non-muscle cells. Recent molecular genetic experiments on Dictyostelium discoideum show that myosin II is necessary for cytokinesis and multicellular development. Here we use immunofluorescence microscopy with monoclonal and polyclonal antimyosin antibodies to visualize myosin II in cells of the multicellular D. discoideum slug. A subpopulation of peripheral and anterior cells label brightly with antimyosin II antibodies, and many of these cells display a polarized intracellular distribution of myosin II. Other cells in the slug label less brightly and their cytoplasm displays a more homogeneous distribution of myosin II. These results provide insight into cell motility within a three-dimensional tissue and they are discussed in relation to the possible roles of myosin II in multicellular development.

scholarly journals Two-photon polymerization nanolithography technology for fabrication of stimulus-responsive micro/nano-structures for biomedical applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 1118-1136
Author(s):  
Zhenjia Huang ◽  
Gary Chi-Pong Tsui ◽  
Yu Deng ◽  
Chak-Yin Tang
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Applications ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Water Soluble ◽  
Fabrication Technology ◽  
Nano Fabrication ◽  
Two Photon ◽  
Nano Structures ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Stimulus Responsive ◽  
Two Photon Polymerization

AbstractMicro/nano-fabrication technology via two-photon polymerization (TPP) nanolithography is a powerful and useful manufacturing tool that is capable of generating two dimensional (2D) to three dimensional (3D) arbitrary micro/nano-structures of various materials with a high spatial resolution. This technology has received tremendous interest in cell and tissue engineering and medical microdevices because of its remarkable fabrication capability for sophisticated structures from macro- to nano-scale, which are difficult to be achieved by traditional methods with limited microarchitecture controllability. To fabricate precisely designed 3D micro/nano-structures for biomedical applications via TPP nanolithography, the use of photoinitiators (PIs) and photoresists needs to be considered comprehensively and systematically. In this review, widely used commercially available PIs are first discussed, followed by elucidating synthesis strategies of water-soluble initiators for biomedical applications. In addition to the conventional photoresists, the distinctive properties of customized stimulus-responsive photoresists are discussed. Finally, current limitations and challenges in the material and fabrication aspects and an outlook for future prospects of TPP for biomedical applications based on different biocompatible photosensitive composites are discussed comprehensively. In all, this review provides a basic understanding of TPP technology and important roles of PIs and photoresists for fabricating high-precision stimulus-responsive micro/nano-structures for a wide range of biomedical applications.

Analysis of SiC CVD Growth in a Horizontal Hot-Wall Reactor by Experiment and 3D Modelling

2007 ◽  
Vol 556-557 ◽  
pp. 61-64
Author(s):  
Y. Shishkin ◽  
Rachael L. Myers-Ward ◽  
Stephen E. Saddow ◽  
Alexander Galyukov ◽  
A.N. Vorob'ev ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Rate ◽  
Growth Process ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Chemical Species ◽  
3D Modelling ◽  
Complete Model ◽  
Cvd Growth ◽  
Dimensional Simulation ◽  
Insight Into ◽  
Hot Zone

A fully-comprehensive three-dimensional simulation of a CVD epitaxial growth process has been undertaken and is reported here. Based on a previously developed simulation platform, which connects fluid dynamics and thermal temperature profiling with chemical species kinetics, a complete model of the reaction process in a low pressure hot-wall CVD reactor has been developed. Close agreement between the growth rate observed experimentally and simulated theoretically has been achieved. Such an approach should provide the researcher with sufficient insight into the expected growth rate in the reactor as well as any variations in growth across the hot zone.

scholarly journals Lifting restrictions on coherence loss when characterizing non-transparent hypersonic phononic crystals

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Konrad Rolle ◽  
Dmytro Yaremkevich ◽  
Alexey V. Scherbakov ◽  
Manfred Bayer ◽  
George Fytas
Keyword(s):  
Frequency Domain ◽  
Hybrid Approach ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Phononic Crystals ◽  
Hybrid Technique ◽  
Detection Mechanism ◽  
Pump Probe ◽  
Fabry Perot ◽  
Multilayer Stacks ◽  
Deposition Techniques

AbstractHypersonic phononic bandgap structures confine acoustic vibrations whose wavelength is commensurate with that of light, and have been studied using either time- or frequency-domain optical spectroscopy. Pulsed pump-probe lasers are the preferred instruments for characterizing periodic multilayer stacks from common vacuum deposition techniques, but the detection mechanism requires the injected sound wave to maintain coherence during propagation. Beyond acoustic Bragg mirrors, frequency-domain studies using a tandem Fabry–Perot interferometer (TFPI) find dispersions of two- and three-dimensional phononic crystals (PnCs) even for highly disordered samples, but with the caveat that PnCs must be transparent. Here, we demonstrate a hybrid technique for overcoming the limitations that time- and frequency-domain approaches exhibit separately. Accordingly, we inject coherent phonons into a non-transparent PnC using a pulsed laser and acquire the acoustic transmission spectrum on a TFPI, where pumped appear alongside spontaneously excited (i.e. incoherent) phonons. Choosing a metallic Bragg mirror for illustration, we determine the bandgap and compare with conventional time-domain spectroscopy, finding resolution of the hybrid approach to match that of a state-of-the-art asynchronous optical sampling setup. Thus, the hybrid pump–probe technique retains key performance features of the established one and going forward will likely be preferred for disordered samples.

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