Multi-resonator structure based on continuous silver thin films for transparent conductors

Abstract

A type of metal-dielectric multilayered structures is investigated theoretically and experimentally for achieving optical transparency with a high electrical conductivity. The structure in our demonstrated case comprises of two coupled metal-dielectric-metal planar optical resonators with metal-layer thicknesses near to its skin depth. Simulations show that the maximum transmittance for visible light can easily reach 90% for silver-based structures. Experimentally, the sample fabricated exhibits a transmission window with a bandwidth of 150 nm and a maximum transmittance of 76% around 643 nm wavelength at normal incidence. Its sheet resistance is measured to be less than 10Ω/□, much smaller than that of common indium-tin-oxide films. Transparent conductors functioning for blue light and even for the whole visible light are also shown to be theoretically possible. Owing to their simple fabrication procedure as well as design flexibility, such a layered structure can serve as a compelling alternative as transparent conductors for optoelectronic devices, especially for liquid-crystal displays and light-emitting diodes.