Plasmonic device converts light into electricity

http://www.physorg.com ^ | November 9, 2011 | Lisa Zyga

[Red Badger]

While the most common device for converting light into electricity may be photovoltaic (PV) solar cells, a variety of other devices can perform the same light-to-electricity conversion, such as solar-thermal collectors and rectennas. In a new study, engineers have designed a new device that can convert light of infrared (IR) and visible wavelengths into direct current by using surface plasmon excitations in a simple metal-insulator-metal (MIM) device.

The researchers, Fuming Wang and Nicholas A. Melosh of Stanford University, have published their study on the new device in a recent issue of Nano Letters.

“The greatest significance thus far is to show an alternative method to rectennas and PV devices for IR and visible light conversion,” Melosh told PhysOrg.com. “The conversion efficiencies aren't amazingly high compared to a PV in visible, so it’s not going to replace PVs, but it could be used for energy scavenging later on.”

The new device’s MIM architecture is similar to that of a rectenna. However, whereas rectennas operate with long-wavelength light such as microwaves and radio waves, the new device operates with a broad spectrum of infrared to visible wavelengths.

When the MIM device is illuminated, incoming photons are absorbed by the top and bottom metal electrodes. Upon absorption, each photon excites an electron in the metal into a higher energy state so that it becomes a “hot electron.” About half of the hot electrons travel toward the metal-insulator interface, where they may be collected by the other electrode. However, photon absorption in the upper and lower electrodes generates currents with opposite signs, so a net DC current is achieved only if the absorption is larger at one electrode than the other.

This ability to maximize current from one electrode while minimizing it from the other is one of the biggest challenges for MIM devices. To do this, researchers can change the thicknesses of the electrodes. However, there is a tradeoff, since in a thicker electrode, more photons are absorbed but fewer electrons reach the interface due to increased scattering.

Wang and Melosh’s solution is to use a prism to excite surface plamons (SPs) on the metal surface of the electrodes when under illumination. The SPs, which are small electron oscillations, can create a higher concentration of hot electrons in one electrode by efficiently coupling to light. The SP coupling efficiency depends on several factors, such as the thickness of the electrode, the type of metal used, and the wavelength of incoming light.

This ability to maximize current from one electrode while minimizing it from the other is one of the biggest challenges for MIM devices. To do this, researchers can change the thicknesses of the electrodes. However, there is a tradeoff, since in a thicker electrode, more photons are absorbed but fewer electrons reach the interface due to increased scattering.

Wang and Melosh’s solution is to use a prism to excite surface plamons (SPs) on the metal surface of the electrodes when under illumination. The SPs, which are small electron oscillations, can create a higher concentration of hot electrons in one electrode by efficiently coupling to light. The SP coupling efficiency depends on several factors, such as the thickness of the electrode, the type of metal used, and the wavelength of incoming light.

[Red Badger]

Surface plasmons on the top electrode in the MIM device can increase the current from the top electrode so that it is greater than the current from the bottom electrode, generating a positive net current. Image credit: Wang and Melosh. ©2011 American Chemical Society

Electron transmission in MIM devices (a) with and (b) without surface plasmon excitations. (c) The measured photocurrent in a device with surface plasmons (black line) is higher than in a device without them (red line). Image credit: Wang and Melosh. ©2011 American Chemical Society

[blueunicorn6]

Is Dave Gelernter known for this? He’s known for many things, you know.

[Red Badger]

Is he a plasmonic device?.......

[Jack of all Trades]

Fuming Wang?! Ouch.

[RightOnline]

Yeah....hit me, too. An angry Wang, eh? Perfect name for a Chinese porn star, methinks.

[rarestia]

OMFG I hope that kid didn’t attend American schools!

[MrEdd]

Girls should stay away from Fuming Wang.

[Red Badger]

Maybe that’s why he’s fuming...............

[Husker24]

Sounds like something you get from seeing too many prostitutes.

[Red Badger]

Obviously not. That’s why he’s so smart............

[Buckeye McFrog]

I thought a Plasmonic Device was something that Wendy O. Williams used to do nasty things onstage back in the 1980’s...

[MrEdd]

I think we are guessing. There needs to be a medical diagnosis on the fuming, and open some windows...

[DManA]

Physics Joke:

Werner Heisenberg is pulled over by a highway patrolman.

Cop: “Do you know how fast you were going?”

Heisenberg: “No, but I know where I am.”

[MrEdd]

Trying hard..(yeesh) not to post...can't help it..

[Red Badger]

Confucius say, “Fuming Wang will soon see doctor.”........

[SERKIT]

The researchers, Fuming Wang and ...

A Fuming Wang can be cured with antibiotics.

[Rumplemeyer]

bump

[montyspython]

Fuming Wang and rectennas...

[muawiyah]

This really is material for South Park ~ fuming wang, rectennas, cartman, the chinese restaurant guy (who’s really vietnamese, etc.)

[TheOldLady]

Click the Pretty Waterfall

Let's Restore Our Beautiful Country

Donate Monthly
Sponsors will contribute $10 for each New Monthly Donor