Photon Trapping Research Articles

Stellar feedback by radiation pressure and photoionization

The relative impact of radiation pressure and photoionization feedback from young stars on surrounding gas is studied with hydrodynamic radiative transfer (RT) simulations. The calculations focus on the single-scattering (direct radiation pressure) and optically thick regime, and adopt a moment-based RT-method implemented in the moving-mesh code AREPO. The source luminosity, gas density profile and initial temperature are varied. At typical temperatures and densities of molecular clouds, radiation pressure drives velocities of order ~20 km/s over 1-5 Myr; enough to unbind the smaller clouds. However, these estimates ignore the effects of photoionization that naturally occur concurrently. When radiation pressure and photoionization act together, the latter is substantially more efficient, inducing velocities comparable to the sound speed of the hot ionized medium (10-15 km/s) on timescales far shorter than required for accumulating similar momentum with radiation pressure. This mismatch allows photoionization to dominate the feedback as the heating and expansion of gas lowers the central densities, further diminishing the impact of radiation pressure. Our results indicate that a proper treatment of the impact of young stars on the interstellar medium needs to primarily account for their ionization power whereas direct radiation pressure appears to be a secondary effect. This conclusion may change if extreme boosts of the radiation pressure by photon trapping are assumed.

Lateral light transfer ensures efficient resource distribution in symbiont-bearing corals

Coral tissue optics has received very little attention in the past, although the interaction between tissue and light is central to our basic understanding of coral physiology. Here we used fibre-optic and electrochemical microsensors along with variable chlorophyll fluorescence imaging to directly measure lateral light propagation within living coral tissues. Our results show that corals can transfer light laterally within their tissues to a distance of ~2 cm. Such light transport stimulates O2 evolution and photosystem II operating efficiency in areas >0.5-1 cm away from direct illumination. Light is scattered strongly in both coral tissue and skeleton, leading to photon trapping and lateral redistribution within the tissue. Lateral light transfer in coral tissue is a new mechanism by which light is redistributed over the coral colony and we argue that tissue optical properties are one of the key factors in explaining the high photosynthetic efficiency of corals.

Three-Dimensional Photon Control in Membrane-Stack Photonic Crystals

We design two novel waveguides in membrane-stack photonic crystals and obtain their dispersion characteristics by the three-dimensional (3D) plane wave-expansion method. The 3D photon control phenomena are demonstrated, in which light is incident on the crystal and is bent both horizontally and vertically. Then light is split into two and is finally emitted from the other side of the crystal. A 3D splitter is realized. We also present a nanocavity to trap photons. With waveguides of different directions and nanocavities, the arbitrary 3D photon manipulation has been demonstrated.

Interactive effects of elevated CO<sub>2</sub> and drought on photosynthetic capacity and PSII performance in maize

Elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration [CO2] and the change of water distribution in arid and semiarid areas affect plant physiology and ecosystem processes. The interaction of elevated [CO2] and drought results in the complex response such as changes in the energy flux of photosynthesis. The performance of photosystem (PS) II and the electron transport were evaluated by using OJIP induction curves of chlorophyll a fluorescence and the P N-C i curves in the two-factor controlled experiment with [CO2] of 380 (AC) or 750 (EC) [μmol mol-1] and water stress by 10% polyethylene glycol 6000. Compared to water-stressed maize (Zea mays L.) under AC, the EC treatment combined with water stress decreased the number of active reaction centers but it increased the antenna size and the energy flux (absorbed photon flux, trapping flux, and electron transport flux) of each reaction center in PSII. Thus, the electron transport rate was enhanced, despite the indistinctively changed quantum yield of the electron transport and energy dissipation. The combination of EC and the water-stress treatment resulted in the robust carboxylation rate without elevating the saturated photosynthetic rate (P max). This study demonstrated that maize was capable of transporting more electrons into the carboxylation reaction, but this could not be used to increase P max under EC.

Photonic light trapping in self-organized all-oxide microspheroids impacts photoelectrochemical water splitting

A SEM picture of the microspheroids (tilted), scheme depicting the vesicle templated sol–gel process and squared normalized electric field intensity distribution inside the microspheroid calculated by finite-difference time-domain simulation.

Photon dynamics in plasma waves

Abstract In this Letter the evolution of a single photon and collective effect of a photon system in background plasma waves are uniformly described in the framework of photon dynamics. In a small-amplitude plasma wave the modulation of photon dynamical behavior by the plasma wave can be treated as perturbation, and photon acceleration effect and photon Landau damping are investigated in linear theory. In an arbitrary-amplitude plasma wave, photon evolution trajectories in phase space are obtained by solving dynamical equations, and photon trapping effect and motion equations in the given plasma wave are also discussed.

Effects of photon trapping on the Lyα properties of star-forming galaxies

Recent observations show that a large number of Lyman-alpha emitters (LAEs) at high redshift z >= 3 have unusually high Lya equivalent widths (EW > 400 angstrom). However, the origin of these high EWs is an open question. Here, we investigate the impacts of photon trapping on the Lya EW and other properties by tracking the Lya radiative transfer in spherical galactic clouds. We find that the delayed escape of the Lya photons can change the Lya properties significantly. During the transition phase from optically thick to optically thin where the Lya photons can escape simultaneously, the EW can be boosted to ~ 1000 angstrom, the Lya luminosity can be increased by a factor of a few, and the line profile can be significantly broadened. The boost factor appears to depend on the galaxy properties such as mass and star formation rate and timescale, therefore future investigation combing 3D Lya RT calculations with cosmological simulations of galaxy formation and evolution is needed to fully understand the Lya properties of early star-forming galaxies.

Resonant scattering of light in a near-black-hole metric

We show that low-energy photon scattering from a body with radius R slightly larger than its Schwarzschild radius r_s resembles black-hole absorption. This absorption occurs via capture to one of the many long-lived, densely packed resonances that populate the continuum. The lifetimes and density of these meta-stable states tend to infinity in the limit r_s -> R. We determine the energy averaged cross-section for particle capture into these resonances and show that it is equal to the absorption cross-section for a Schwarzschild black hole. Thus, a non-singular static metric may trap photons for arbitrarily long times, making it appear completely `black' before the actual formation of a black hole.

Optical nutation in the exciton range of spectrum

Optical nutation in the exciton range of spectrum is studied in the mean field approximation taking into account exciton-photon and elastic exciton-exciton interactions. It is shown that the features of nutation development are determined by the initial exciton and photon densities, the resonance detuning, the nonlinearity parameter, and the initial phase difference. For nonzero initial exciton and photon concentrations, three regimes of temporal evolution of excitons and photons exist: periodic conversion of excitons to photons and vice versa, aperiodic conversion of photons to excitons, and the rest regime. In the rest regime, the initial exciton and photon densities are nonzero and do not change with time. The oscillation amplitudes and periods of particle densities determined by the system parameters are found. The exciton self-trapping and photon trapping appearing in the system at threshold values of the nonlinearity parameter were predicted. As this parameter increases, the oscillation amplitudes of the exciton and photon densities sharply change at the critical value of the nonlinearity parameter. These two phenomena are shown to be caused by the elastic exciton-exciton interaction, resulting in the dynamic concentration shift of the exciton level.

Numerical simulation of crosstalk in reduced pitch HgCdTe photon-trapping structure pixel arrays

We have investigated crosstalk in HgCdTe photovoltaic pixel arrays employing a photon trapping (PT) structure realized with a periodic array of pillars intended to provide broadband operation. We have found that, compared to non-PT pixel arrays with similar geometry, the array employing the PT structure has a slightly higher optical crosstalk. However, when the total crosstalk is evaluated, the presence of the PT region drastically reduces the total crosstalk; making the use of the PT structure not only useful to obtain broadband operation, but also desirable for reducing crosstalk in small pitch detector arrays.

Fast dynamic interferometric lithography for large submicrometric period diffraction gratings production

This paper describes a successful technological transfer, from a state laboratory to an industrial company, for writing long and large submicron period gratings (potentially square-meter sized), implemented in an industrial direct laser beam writing equipment at 355 nm wavelength (Dilase 750 from KLOE SA company). The writing head, which has been inserted in the machine, consists of a phase mask which enables it to project a set of fringes pattern of small area onto a photoresist-coated substrate. As the substrate is continuously moving, one-dimensional or two-dimensional gratings can be fabricated over large areas limited only by the machine’s stage displacement range. The optical scheme is described from the beam shaping to the printing processes and the phase mask optimization. In order to demonstrate the technology, 600 nm period gratings of over 20 cm in length have been fabricated. Such submicron structures can be used in solar cell modules for photon trapping and as antireflection coatings.

Super-Eddington Accreting Massive Black Holes as Long-Lived Cosmological Standards

Super-Eddington accreting massive black holes (SEAMBHs) reach saturated luminosities above a certain accretion rate due to photon trapping and advection in slim accretion disks. We show that these SEAMBHs could provide a new tool for estimating cosmological distances if they are properly identified by hard x-ray observations, in particular by the slope of their 2-10 keV continuum. To verify this idea we obtained black hole mass estimates and x-ray data for a sample of 60 narrow line Seyfert 1 galaxies that we consider to be the most promising SEAMBH candidates. We demonstrate that the distances derived by the new method for the objects in the sample get closer to the standard luminosity distances as the hard x-ray continuum gets steeper. The results allow us to analyze the requirements for using the method in future samples of active black holes and to demonstrate that the expected uncertainty, given large enough samples, can make them into a useful, new cosmological ruler.

Hierarchical Metal/Semiconductor Nanostructure for Efficient Water Splitting

A hierarchically patterned metal/semiconductor (gold nanoparticles/ZnO nanowires) nanostructure with maximized photon trapping effects is fabricated via interference lithography (IL) for plasmon enhanced photo-electrochemical water splitting in the visible region of light. Compared with unpatterned (plain) gold nanoparticles-coated ZnO NWs (Au NPs/ZnO NWs), the hierarchically patterned Au NPs/ZnO NWs hybrid structures demonstrate higher and wider absorption bands of light leading to increased surface enhanced Raman scattering due to the light trapping effects achieved by the combination of two different nanostructure dimensions; furthermore, pronounced plasmonic enhancement of water splitting is verified in the hierarchically patterned Au NPs/ZnO NWs structures in the visible region. The excellent performance of the hierarchically patterned Au NPs/ZnO NWs indicates that the combination of pre-determined two different dimensions has great potential for application in solar energy conversion, light emitting diodes, as well as SERS substrates and photoelectrodes for water splitting.

Near-Field Optical Immobilization of Antibodies for Novel Fluorescent Bioassays

Optical manipulation techniques have enabled the study of single molecules in biophysics. Optical tweezers have allowed force spectroscopic measurements of large biopolymers bond to microspheres. A newer generation of optical traps, based on near field optics, allow trapping of smaller molecules with the hope to manipulate directly the biomolecules rather than through microspheres. We previously developed a photonic crystal trap able to capture small biomolecules, such as Wilson disease molecule, while observing them with fluorescent microscopy. The technique has been shown to be compatible with biophysical experiments as it can be performed in the biological buffer without significant temperature increase. Although these techniques have been developed with the idea of trapping single molecules, in this presentation, we steer away from the single molecule focus. A novel bioassay platform is presented that takes advantage of the optical forces exerted on molecules near the photonic crystal. The aim of this method is to replace the chemical immobilization on a surface by optical immobilization because molecules optically attracted to the optically active surface can freely rotate on it and sample more orientations than molecules bond to a surface. On this platform, using fluorescent microscopy, we observe the aggregation of antibodies in the optical trap and measure their binding rates to antigens at various temperatures. Because of the optical and hydrodynamic forces at play, we expect to observe higher binding rates than in mass-transport limited equivalent systems.

HOT infrared photodetectors

AbstractAt present, uncooled thermal detector focal plane arrays are successfully used in staring thermal imagers. However, the performance of thermal detectors is modest, they suffer from slow response and they are not very useful in applications requiring multispectral detection.Infrared (IR) photon detectors are typically operated at cryogenic temperatures to decrease the noise of the detector arising from various mechanisms associated with the narrow band gap. There are considerable efforts to decrease system cost, size, weight, and power consumption to increase the operating temperature in so-called high-operating-temperature (HOT) detectors. Initial efforts were concentrated on photoconductors and photoelectromagnetic detectors. Next, several ways to achieve HOT detector operation have been elaborated including non-equilibrium detector design with Auger suppression and optical immersion. Recently, a new strategies used to achieve HOT detectors include barrier structures such as nBn, material improvement to lower generation-recombination leakage mechanisms, alternate materials such as superlattices and cascade infrared devices. Another method to reduce detector’s dark current is reducing volume of detector material via a concept of photon trapping detector.In this paper, a number of concepts to improve performance of photon detectors operating at near room temperature are presented. Mostly three types of detector materials are considered — HgCdTe and InAsSb ternary alloys, and type-II InAs/GaSb superlattice. Recently, advanced heterojunction photovoltaic detectors have been developed. Novel HOT detector designs, so called interband cascade infrared detectors, have emerged as competitors of HgCdTe photodetectors.

Efficient photon management with nanostructures for photovoltaics

Efficient photon management schemes are crucial for improving the energy conversion efficiency of photovoltaic devices; they can lead potentially to reduced material usage and cost for these devices. In this review, photon trapping mechanisms are discussed briefly in the beginning, followed by a summary of recent progress on a number of major categories of nanostructures with intriguing photon management properties. Specifically, nanostructures including nanowires, nanopillars, nanopyramids, nanocones, nanospikes, and so forth, have been reviewed comprehensively with materials including Si, Ge, CdS, CIGS, ZnO, etc. It is found that these materials with diverse configurations have tunable photon management properties, namely, optical reflectance, transmittance and absorption. Investigations on these nanostructures have not only shed light on the fundamental interplay between photons and materials at the nanometer scale, but also suggested a potential pathway for a new generation of photovoltaic devices.

Optimization for visible light photocatalytic water splitting: gold-coated and surface-textured TiO2 inverse opal nano-networks

A gold nanoparticle-coated and surface-textured TiO2 inverse opal (Au/st-TIO) structure that provides a dramatic improvement of photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation has been fabricated by nano-patterning of TiO2 precursors on TiO2 inverse opal (TIO) and subsequent deposition of gold NPs. The surface-textured TiO2 inverse opal (st-TIO) maximizes the photon trapping effects triggered by the large dimensions of the structure while maintaining the adequate surface area achieved by the small dimensions of the structure. Au NPs are incorporated to further improve photoconversion efficiency in the visible region via surface plasmon resonance. st-TIO and Au/st-TIO exhibit a maximum photocurrent density of ∼0.58 mA cm(-2) and ∼0.8 mA cm(-2), which is 2.07 and 2.86 times higher than that of bare TIO, respectively, at an applied bias of +0.5 V versus an Ag/AgCl electrode under AM 1.5 G simulated sunlight illumination via a photocatalytic hydrogen generation reaction. The excellent performance of the surface plasmon-enhanced mesoporous st-TIO structure suggests that tailoring the nanostructure to proper dimensions, and thereby obtaining excellent light absorption, can maximize the efficiency of a variety of photoconversion devices.

Developing controllable anisotropic wet etching to achieve silicon nanorods, nanopencils and nanocones for efficient photon trapping

Controllable hierarchy of highly regular, single-crystalline nanorod, nanopencil and nanocone arrays with tunable geometry and etch anisotropy has been achieved over large areas (>1.5 cm × 1.5 cm) by using an [AgNO3 + HF + HNO3/H2O2] etching system. The etching mechanism has been elucidated to originate from the site-selective deposition of Ag nanoclusters. Different etch anisotropies and aspect ratios can be accomplished by modulating the relative concentration in the [AgNO3 + HF + HNO3/H2O2] etching system. Minimized optical reflectance is also demonstrated with the fabricated nano-arrays. Overall, this work highlights the technological potency of utilizing a simple wet-chemistry-only fabrication scheme, instead of reactive dry etching, to attain three-dimensional Si nanostructures with different geometrical morphologies for applications requiring large-scale, low-cost and efficient photon trapping (e.g. photovoltaics).

Analysis of optical and electrical crosstalk in small pitch photon trapping HgCdTe pixel arrays

We have investigated the optical and electrical crosstalk in HgCdTe photovoltaic pixel arrays employing a photon trapping (PT) structure realized with a periodic array of pillars. We have used a finite-difference time-domain approach to compute the carrier generation rate in the device and evaluate the optical crosstalk. Subsequently, solving the drift-diffusion equations, we have computed the quantum efficiency and the electrical crosstalk. We have found that, compared to a conventional pixel array, the one employing the photon trapping structure has a slightly higher optical crosstalk. However, the presence of the photon trapping region drastically reduces the electrical (total) crosstalk.

Photoluminescence of aromatic compounds in photon traps under resonant pulse-periodic excitation

The photoluminescence spectra of aromatic compounds in a photon trap under ultraviolet pulse-periodic excitation are recorded. It is shown that the photoluminescence spectrum shape depends on the material layer thickness in a cell, physical state of the sample, and exciting radiation characteristics: as the layer thicknesses decreases, the intensity is significantly redistributed, which is explained by the transition from spontaneous luminescence to superluminescence.