1305.5969 (Yiling Yu et al.)

Leaky Mode Engineering: A General Design Principle for Dielectric
Optical Antenna Solar Absorbers    [PDF]

Yiling Yu, Linyou Cao

We present a general principle for the rational design of dielectric optical anatennas with optimal solar absorption: leaky mode engineering. This builds upon our previous study that demonstrates the solar absorption in a given amount of materials dictated by the modal properties of leaky modes. Here we synergistically examine the correlation among the modal properties of leaky modes, the physical features of dielectric structures, and the solar absorption in these structures. Our analysis clearly points out the general guideline for the design of dielectric optical antennas with optimal solar absorption enhenacement: a) using 0D structures; b) the shape does not matter much; c) heterostructuring with non-absorbing materials is a promising strategy; d) the design of a large-scale nanostructure array can literally build upon the design of single nanostructure solar absorbers.

View original: http://arxiv.org/abs/1305.5969