For the first time, to the authors' best knowledge, this paper demonstrates the digital, holographic fabrication of graded, super-basis photonic lattices with dual periodicity, dual basis, and dual symmetry. Pixel-by-pixel phase engineering of the laser beam generates the highest resolution in a programmable spatial light modulator (SLM) for the direct imaging of graded photonic super-lattices. This technique grants flexibility in designing 2-D lattices with size-graded features, differing periodicities, and differing symmetries, as well as lattices having simultaneously two periodicities and two symmetries in high resolutions. By tuning the diffraction efficiency ratio from the SLM, photonic cavities can also be generated in the graded super-lattice simultaneously through a one-exposure process. A high quality factor of over 1.56 × 10 for a cavity mode in the graded photonic lattice with a large super-cell is predicted by simulations.

No abstract

In this paper, we are able to fabricate 3D photonic crystals or quasi-crystals through single beam and single optical element based holographic lithography. The reflective optical elements are used to generate multiple side beams with s-polarization and one central beam with circular polarization which in turn are used for interference based holographic lithography without the need of any other bulk optics. These optical elements have been used to fabricate 3D photonic crystals with 4, 5 or 6-fold symmetry. A good agreement has been observed between fabricated holographic structures and simulated interference patterns.

Photonic quasi-crystals and photonic crystals with certain degrees of disorder can have a broadband light-matter interaction. In this paper, we present the holographic fabrication of graded photonic super-quasi-crystals through pixel-by-pixel phase pattern engineering using a spatial light modulator. Using the same phase pattern arranged in a decagon, we have fabricated graded photonic super-quasi-crystals with five-fold symmetry and multiple levels of gradients and graded photonic super-crystals with rectangular unit super-cells, depending on the Fourier filter. Although a certain degree of disorder was incorporated in the quasi-crystals, we still observed the golden ratio in the diameters of the diffraction rings of the fabricated quasi-crystals, indicating five-fold symmetry. Using direct pixel-by-pixel phase engineering, the same laser projection system, consisting of an integrated spatial light modulator and a reflective optical element, can be used for the fabrication of graded photonic super-crystals with various symmetries. The multi-level gradient effects on the optical properties of an organic light-emitting diode were simulated. When the cathode of an organic light-emitting device is patterned in the graded photonic super-crystals, a light extraction efficiency up to 76% in the visible range can be achieved.

The newly discovered graded, superlattice photonic crystals with dual periodicity and dual basis present great opportunity for electromagnetic wave control in photonic devices. These graded superlattices can be holographically fabricated by eight beam interference lithography. We have computed, through electrodynamic simulation, the light extraction efficiency of planar, white organic light-emitting diodes where the Al cathode is patterned with the graded superlattice with dual basis. Two graded super-lattices with four-fold and two-fold symmetries are used to pattern the Al cathode. The decrease in power losses to surface plasmon and waveguide modes is explained by the varying plasmon path length and grating cycle, respectively, in the graded pattern. To the authors' best knowledge, the highest light extraction efficiency of 73.1% into the glass substrate in organic light-emitting diodes has been predicted through simulations.

No abstract

Light-trapping enhancement in newly discovered graded photonic super-crystals (GPSCs) with dual periodicity and dual basis is herein explored for the first time. Broadband, wide-incident-angle, and polarization-independent light-trapping enhancement was achieved in silicon solar cells patterned with these GPSCs. These super-crystals were designed by multi-beam interference, rendering them flexible and efficient. The optical response of the patterned silicon solar cell retained Bloch-mode resonance; however, light absorption was greatly enhanced in broadband wavelengths due to the graded, complex unit super-cell nanostructures, leading to the overlap of Bloch-mode resonances. The broadband, wide-angle light coupling and trapping enhancement mechanism are understood to be due to the spatial variance of the index of refraction, and this spatial variance is due to the varying filling fraction, the dual basis, and the varying lattice constants in different directions.

Transparent conducting aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) can be used as part of an active plasmonic device due to its electrically tunable permittivity, which is accomplished by changing the carrier concentration with electrical biasing. In this letter, we report a continuous electrical tuning of diffraction efficiency from AZO gratings in the visible range (specifically 532 nm) when the AZO is under bias voltages between −1 V and −3.5 V. The carrier concentration in AZO under negative bias has been measured and simulated. The diffraction efficiency changes have been explained by the carrier concentration variation and induced complex refractive index change at the Al2O3 and AZO interface. The reported results can lead toward the application of post-fabrication tuning of optoelectronic devices using AZO.