Light trapping in photonic crystals

Ken X. Wang; Zongfu Yu; Victor Liu; Aaswath Raman; Yi Cui; Shanhui Fan

doi:10.1117/12.2061160

7 October 2014 Light trapping in photonic crystals

Ken X. Wang, Zongfu Yu, Victor Liu, Aaswath Raman, Yi Cui, Shanhui Fan

Proceedings Volume 9177, Thin Films for Solar and Energy Technology VI; 91770N (2014) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2061160
Event: SPIE Solar Energy + Technology, 2014, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

We consider light trapping in photonic crystals. Using temporal coupled-mode theory and assuming that the active material is weakly absorbing, we show that the upper bound of the angle-integrated light trapping absorption enhancement is proportional to the photonic density of states. The tight bound can be reached if all the modes supported by the structure are coupled to external radiation. We discuss the roles of van Hove singularity, effective medium theory, and periodicity. By appropriate design, the angle-integrated absorption enhancement could surpass the conventional limit substantially in two dimension and marginally in three dimension.

Citation Download Citation

Ken X. Wang, Zongfu Yu, Victor Liu, Aaswath Raman, Yi Cui, and Shanhui Fan "Light trapping in photonic crystals", Proc. SPIE 9177, Thin Films for Solar and Energy Technology VI, 91770N (7 October 2014); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2061160

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