Microstructures for enhanced light-matter interactions: optical network devices and solar light trapping

摘要

Our focus is on the potential of enhancing light-matter interactions by using microstructures. It has been proven that microstructures of composite materials (MCMs) are versatile means for passive optical functional integration. Here we elaborate on some motivations and preliminary results. By using MCMs, we present a few examples of enhanced functional integration for optical networks and structures for light trapping at UV-VIS (e.g., solar cells). Simulations of wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) and polarization dependent devices for network terminals at 1310 nm and 1500nm are presented. A simple principle was used to demonstrate total absorption of visible spectrum around 400-500 nm, which may benefit application such as solar cells.