arXiv subjects

Owen D. Miller

Publications and source records attributed to Owen D. Miller.

61 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2015

Optimization of sharp and viewing-angle-independent structural color

Structural coloration produces some of the most brilliant colors in nature and has many applications. However, the two competing properties of narrow bandwidth and broad viewing angle have not been achieved simultaneously in previous studies. Here, we use numerical optimization to discover geometries where a sharp 7% bandwidth in scattering is achieved, yet the peak wavelength varies less than 1%, and the peak height and peak width vary less than 6% over broad viewing angles (0--90$^\circ$) under a directional illumination. Our model system consists of dipole scatterers arranged into several rings; interference among the scattered waves is optimized to yield the wavelength-selective and angle-insensitive response. Such designs can be useful for the recently proposed transparent displays that are based on wavelength-selective scattering.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2014

The effectiveness of thin films in lieu of hyperbolic metamaterials in the near field

We show that the near-field functionality of hyperbolic metamaterials (HMM), typically proposed for increasing the photonic local density of states (LDOS), can be achieved with thin metal films. Although HMMs have an infinite density of internally-propagating plane-wave states, the external coupling to nearby emitters is severely restricted. We show analytically that properly designed thin films, of thicknesses comparable to the metal size of a hyperbolic metamaterial, yield a LDOS as high as (if not higher than) that of HMMs. We illustrate these ideas by performing exact numerical computations of the LDOS of multilayer HMMs, along with their application to the problem of maximizing near-field heat transfer, to show that thin films are suitable replacements in both cases.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Fundamental limits to nanoparticle extinction

We show that there are shape-independent upper bounds to the extinction cross section per unit volume of randomly oriented nanoparticles, given only material permittivity. Underlying the limits are restrictive sum rules that constrain the distribution of quasistatic eigenvalues. Surprisingly, optimally-designed spheroids, with only a single quasistatic degree of freedom, reach the upper bounds for four permittivity values. Away from these permittivities, we demonstrate computationally-optimized structures that surpass spheroids and approach the fundamental limits.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Comment on "A self-assembled three-dimensional cloak in the visible" in Scientific Reports 3, 2328

Mühlig et. al. propose and fabricate a "cloak" comprised of nano-particles on the surface of a sub-wavelength silica sphere. However, the coating only reduces the scattered fields. This is achieved by increased absorption, such that total extinction increases at all wavelengths. An object creating a large shadow is generally not considered to be cloaked; functionally, in contrast to the relatively few structures that can reduce total extinction, there are many that can reduce scattering alone.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Photonic Design: From Fundamental Solar Cell Physics to Computational Inverse Design

Photonic innovation is becoming ever more important in the modern world. Optical systems are dominating shorter and shorter communications distances, LED's are rapidly emerging for a variety of applications, and solar cells show potential to be a mainstream technology in the energy space. The need for novel, energy-efficient photonic and optoelectronic devices will only increase. This work unites fundamental physics and a novel computational inverse design approach towards such innovation. The first half of the dissertation is devoted to the physics of high-efficiency solar cells. As solar cells approach fundamental efficiency limits, their internal physics transforms. Photonic considerations, instead of electronic ones, are the key to reaching the highest voltages and efficiencies. Proper photon management led to Alta Device's recent dramatic increase of the solar cell efficiency record to 28.3%. Moreover, approaching the Shockley-Queisser limit for any solar cell technology will require light extraction to become a part of all future designs. The second half of the dissertation introduces inverse design as a new computational paradigm in photonics. An assortment of techniques (FDTD, FEM, etc.) have enabled quick and accurate simulation of the "forward problem" of finding fields for a given geometry. However, scientists and engineers are typically more interested in the inverse problem: for a desired functionality, what geometry is needed? Answering this question breaks from the emphasis on the forward problem and forges a new path in computational photonics. The framework of shape calculus enables one to quickly find superior, non-intuitive designs. Novel designs for optical cloaking and sub-wavelength solar cell applications are presented.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2013

Light Trapping Textures Designed by Electromagnetic Optimization for Sub-Wavelength Thick Solar Cells

Light trapping in solar cells allows for increased current and voltage, as well as reduced materials cost. It is known that in geometrical optics, a maximum 4n^2 absorption enhancement factor can be achieved by randomly texturing the surface of the solar cell, where n is the material refractive index. This ray-optics absorption enhancement limit only holds when the thickness of the solar cell is much greater than the optical wavelength. In sub-wavelength thin films, the fundamental questions remain unanswered: (1) what is the sub-wavelength absorption enhancement limit and (2) what surface texture realizes this optimal absorption enhancement? We turn to computational electromagnetic optimization in order to design nanoscale textures for light trapping in sub-wavelength thin films. For high-index thin films, in the weakly absorbing limit, our optimized surface textures yield an angle- and frequency-averaged enhancement factor ~39. They perform roughly 30% better than randomly textured structures, but they fall short of the ray optics enhancement limit of 4n^2 ~ 50.

physics.optics↗

arXiv2011

Intense Internal and External Fluorescence as Solar Cells Approach the Shockley-Queisser Efficiency Limit

Absorbed sunlight in a solar cell produces electrons and holes. But, at the open circuit condition, the carriers have no place to go. They build up in density and, ideally, they emit external fluorescence that exactly balances the incoming sunlight. Any additional non-radiative recombination impairs the carrier density buildup, limiting the open-circuit voltage. At open-circuit, efficient external fluorescence is an indicator of low internal optical losses. Thus efficient external fluorescence is, counter-intuitively, a necessity for approaching the Shockley-Queisser efficiency limit. A great Solar Cell also needs to be a great Light Emitting Diode. Owing to the narrow escape cone for light, efficient external emission requires repeated attempts, and demands an internal luminescence efficiency >>90%.

physics.optics↗