paper 150119170522

Published: 2015-07-09

Strong Absorption in a 2D Materials-based Spiral Nanocavity

Volker J. Sorger,

Volker J. Sorger

The George Washington University, USA

Homepage

Mohammad H. Tahersima

The George Washington University, USA

Homepage

Proceedings of 2015 Photonics & Electromagnetics Research Symposium, Prague, July 6 - 9，Page(s)1858-1863

Abstract

Recent investigations of semiconducting two-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides have provided evidence for strong light absorption relative to its thickness at- tributed to high density of states. Stacking a combination of metallic, insulating, and semicon- ducting 2D materials enables functional devices with atomic thicknesses. While photovoltaic cells based on 2D materials have been demonstrated, the reported absorption is still just a few percent of the incident light due to their sub-wavelength thickness leading to low cell efficiencies. Here we show that taking advantage of the mechanical flexibility of 2D materials by rolling a molyb- denum disulfide (MoS2 )/graphene (Gr)/hexagonal Boron Nitride (hBN) stack to a spiral solar cell allows for solar absorption up to 90%. The optical absorption of a 1 µm long hetero-material spiral cell consisting of MoS2 , graphene and hBN is about 50% stronger compared to a planar MoS2 cell of the same thickness; although the ration of the absorbing material, here Gr and MoS2 , relative to the cell volume is only 6%. We anticipate these results to provide guidance for photonic structures that take advantage of the unique properties of 2D materials in solar energy conversion applications.

Citation

Volker J. Sorger, and Mohammad H. Tahersima, "Strong Absorption in a 2D Materials-based Spiral Nanocavity," Proceedings of 2015 Photonics & Electromagnetics Research Symposium, Prague, July 6 - 9，Page(s)1858-1863

References

1. Britnell, L., et al., Science, Vol. 340, No. 6138, 1311-1314, 2013. Google Scholar

2. Grandidier, J., et al., Adv. Mater., Vol. 23, 1272-1276, 2011. Google Scholar

3. Kim, S.-K., et al., ACS Nano, Vol. 8, No. 4, 3707-3714, 2014. Google Scholar

4. Novoselov, K. S., et al. Science, Vol. 306, 666, 2004. Google Scholar

5. Novoselov, K. S., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., Vol. 102, 10451, 2005. Google Scholar

6. Lee, G. H., et al., ACS Nano, Vol. 7, No. 9, 7931-7936, 2013. Google Scholar

7. Huang, C., et al., Nature Materials, Vol. 13, 1096-1101, 2014. Google Scholar

8. Mann, J., Adv. Mat., Vol. 26, No. 9, 1399-1404, 2014. Google Scholar

9. Bernardi, M., et al., Nano Lett., Vol. 13, No. 8, 3664-3670, 2013. Google Scholar

10. Furchi, M. M., et al., Nano Lett., Vol. 14, No. 8, 4785-4791, 2014. Google Scholar

11. Yim, C., et al., Applied Phys. Lett., Vol. 104, 103114, 2014. Google Scholar

12. Kravets, V. G., et al., Phys. Rev. B, Vol. 81, 155413, 2010. Google Scholar

13. Ren, S. L., et al., Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 62, 1760, 1993. Google Scholar

14. ASTM G173-03 Reference Solar Spectral Irradiance, http://rredc.nrel.gov/solar/spectra/am1.5/ASTMG173/ASTMG173.html. Google Scholar

15. Tang, J., et al., Nature Nanotechnology, Vol. 6, 568-572, 2011. Google Scholar

16. Kempaa, T. J., et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., Vol. 31, No. 5, 1407-1412, January 2012. Google Scholar

17. Lee, G. H., et al., Appl. Phys. Lett., Vol. 99, 243114, 2011. Google Scholar

18. Bolotina, K. I., et al., Solid State Communications, Vol. 146, No. 9, 351–355, June 2008. Google Scholar

19. Mak, K., Phys Rev. Lett., Vol. 105, 136805, 2010. Google Scholar

20. Zhang, W., et al., Scientific Reports, Vol. 4, 3826, 2014. Google Scholar

21. Polman, A., et al., Nature Materials, Vol. 11, 174-177, 2012. Google Scholar

22. Duan., X., et al., Nature, Vol. 421, 241-245, 2003. Google Scholar

23. Oulton, R. F., V. J. Sorger, et al., Nature, Vol. 461, 629-632, 2009. Google Scholar

24. Hill, M. T., et al., Optics Express, Vol. 17, No. 13, 11107-11112, 2009. Google Scholar