Transparent conductive oxides: Plasmonic materials for telecom wavelengths

Noginov, M. A.; Gu, Lei; Livenere, J.; Zhu, Guohua; Pradhan, A. K.; Mundle, R.; Bahoura, M.; Barnakov, Yu. A.; Podolskiy, Viktor A.

doi:10.1063/1.3604792

Cited by 193 publications

(131 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…Recently, metal oxides such as indium-tin oxide (ITO) and aluminium-doped zinc oxide have received interest for their plasmonic response in relation to metamaterials and transformation optics. [8,9] The plasma frequency can be tuned by controlling the electron density using electrical or optical methods, opening up opportunities for nearinfrared electro-optic or optical modulators [7,10,11] and sensing devices. [12,13] Pioneering studies by Franzen and co-workers have investigated the plasmonic response of ITO and ITOgold hybrid structures in the metallic (negative epsilon) regime of ITO.…”

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confidence: 99%

Ultrafast plasmonics using transparent conductive oxide hybrids in the epsilon-near-zero regime

Traviss

Bruck

Mills

et al. 2013

Applied Physics Letters

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The dielectric response of transparent conductive oxides near the bulk plasmon frequency is characterized by a refractive index less than vacuum. In analogy with x-ray optics, it is shown that this regime results in total external reflection and air-guiding of light. In addition, the strong reduction of the wavevector in the ITO below that of free space enables a new surface plasmon polariton mode which can be excited without requiring a prism or grating coupler. Ultrafast control of the surface plasmon polariton mode is achieved with a modulation amplitude reaching 20%.Epsilon-Near Zero (ENZ) materials are a class of optical materials characterized by a real part of the dielectric function close to zero. ENZ materials are of interest for a range of applications including tailoring of directional emission and radiation phase patterns, [1][2][3] air-guiding of electromagnetic waves, [4] and electromagnetic tunnelling devices. [5][6][7] While a lot of effort is aimed at achieving an ENZ response using artificial metamaterial resonators, some naturally occurring materials also show a strong reduction of the permittivity below that of vacuum. An example of naturally occurring low-index materials are noble metals where the optical permittivity ǫ is governed by the collective motions of the free electron gas known as bulk plasmons. According to the Drude model, the permittivity is given bywhere γ denotes the damping rate of the free electrons and the plasma frequency ω pl is given by ω pl = (N e 2 /ǫ 0 m) 1/2 . Around the (screened) bulk plasmon frequency ω bp ≡ ω pl / √ ǫ ∞ , the real part of the permittivity shows a transition from negative to positive values. Noble metals have carrier densities N exceeding 10 22 cm −3 , therefore their bulk plasmon plasma frequency is located in the UV region. In contrast, highly doped semiconductors typically have electron densities below 10 19 cm −3 and can be well described by the Drude model with a bulk plasmon plasma frequency in the THz range. Transparent conducting oxides (TCOs), with an electron density inbetween that of bulk metals and doped semiconductors, show a bulk plasmon frequency in the near-infrared. The resulting combination of a metal-like response in the infrared and a dielectric optical response in the visible region has stimulated application of TCOs as transparent electrical contacts and as heat reflecting windows. Recently, metal oxides such as indium-tin oxide (ITO) and aluminium-doped zinc oxide have received interest for their plasmonic response in relation to metamaterials and transformation optics. [8,9] The plasma frequency can be tuned by controlling the electron density using electrical or optical methods, opening up opportunities for nearinfrared electro-optic or optical modulators [7,10,11] and sensing devices. [12,13] Pioneering studies by Franzen and co-workers have investigated the plasmonic response of ITO and ITOgold hybrid structures in the metallic (negative epsilon) regime of ITO. [13] Next to a conventional surface plasmon polariton mode f...

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confidence: 99%

Ultrafast plasmonics using transparent conductive oxide hybrids in the epsilon-near-zero regime

Traviss

Bruck

Mills

et al. 2013

Applied Physics Letters

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“…This is also consistent with our earlier report for Indium Tin Oxide (ITO). 8 Note that the corresponding plasma frequency, which depend on target compositions, substrate temperatures, atmosphere in a chamber, and annealing, are within the range of reported values. 15 Taking into account the above NIR frequency range, the AZO/SiO 2 /p-Si diode device was illuminated with light in the range of NIR frequencies using the above configuration and the current and voltage characteristics are shown in Fig.…”

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confidence: 66%

“…However, it was recently found that wide band gap semiconductor such as Ga or Al doped ZnO (AZO) and other transparent conductive oxides (TCOs) are potential candidates to replace silver and gold in plasmonic applications. [8][9][10] We have demonstrated that the doped degenerate wide-band-gap semiconductors can be efficient nanoplasmonic materials in the near-infrared spectral range because of strong confinement of SPPs, low loss, and metallic behavior. 8,11,12 Because semiconductors do not have bound-state absorption transitions in their band-gaps, their SPP losses can be even smaller in the near infrared (NIR) region than those in conventional plasmonic materials at corresponding visible wavelengths.…”

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confidence: 99%

“…[8][9][10] We have demonstrated that the doped degenerate wide-band-gap semiconductors can be efficient nanoplasmonic materials in the near-infrared spectral range because of strong confinement of SPPs, low loss, and metallic behavior. 8,11,12 Because semiconductors do not have bound-state absorption transitions in their band-gaps, their SPP losses can be even smaller in the near infrared (NIR) region than those in conventional plasmonic materials at corresponding visible wavelengths. 13 On the other hand, the carrier density and the refractive index in these materials can also be tuned in a broad range by an applied electric field.…”

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confidence: 99%

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Energy harvesting in semiconductor-insulator-semiconductor junctions through excitation of surface plasmon polaritons

Pradhan

Holloway

Mundle

et al. 2012

Applied Physics Letters

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We have demonstrated a simple approach for developing a photovoltaic device consisting of semiconductor-insulator-semiconductor (SIS) heterojunction using surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) generated in one of the semiconductors (Al:ZnO) and propagated through the dielectric barrier (SiO2) to other (Si). This robust architecture based on surface plasmon excitation within an SIS device that produces power based on spatial confinement of electron excitation through plasmon absorption in Al:ZnO in a broad spectrum of visible to infrared wavelengths enhancing the photovoltaic activities. This finding suggests a range of applications for photovoltaics, sensing, waveguides, and others using SPPs enhancement on semiconductors without using noble metals.

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“…This is much lower than conventional Au and Ag (>10), and even lower than metal nitrides (>20) in the similar wavelengths regime. [19][20][21]. The plasmonic reflection behavior was also investigated in the microwaves or terahertz (THz) regime.…”

Section: E) Heterolayered Al-doped Zno Composites As Transparent Thermentioning

confidence: 99%

Nano-Material and Structural Engineering for Thermal Highways

Kim¹,

Xu²,

Lyeo³

2013

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The AOARD-KRF 'thermal management' project has led to several developments and breakthroughs driven by collaborative efforts between the Korean groups (Seoul National University and KRISS) and the group at Brown University. Two main objectives were set for the project: improvement of thermoelectric efficiency and demonstration of "thermal diodes" with heat-flow rectification. Both objectives were successfully met, and in fact, exceeded.One breakthrough -thermal-voltage imaging with unprecedented atomic resolution that exceeds classical limits is particularly noteworthy. It was unanticipated at the start but propelled by growing interests arising from this effort. It will likely extend its impact beyond thermal management into basic sciences for years to come.Several strategies for improving thermal functionality in electronic materials were implemented via AIPEL patterning, AAO-templated nanomesh formation and atomic-layered doping. Thermal rectification effects have been ascertained by engineering into the structure phase-changing and strongly temperature dependent materials. An ultrathin (~40nm) film that is infrared (heat) reflecting, light-transmitting (>90%), highly conductive (~1000 S/cm) and also EMI-shielding (>20dB) stands out as another example outcome of the exploration of an atomic-layer engineering approach. It could lead to defense and civilian applications in near term.A novel concept of self-regulated cooling, inspired by nature (e.g. human skin sweating), was implemented, tested, and proven to be effective. This success, however still preliminary, opens a pathway to explorations of wearable, scalable, distributed, self-powered cooling and temperature regulation, as well as to its underlying science of phase-transitions in nano-capillary fluidics.

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Transparent conductive oxides: Plasmonic materials for telecom wavelengths

Cited by 193 publications

References 30 publications

Ultrafast plasmonics using transparent conductive oxide hybrids in the epsilon-near-zero regime

Ultrafast plasmonics using transparent conductive oxide hybrids in the epsilon-near-zero regime

Energy harvesting in semiconductor-insulator-semiconductor junctions through excitation of surface plasmon polaritons

Nano-Material and Structural Engineering for Thermal Highways

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