Harnessing Nanoplasmonics: Design Optimization for Enhanced Optoelectronic Performance in Nanocrystalline Silicon Devices
Nanoplasmonic structures have emerged as a promising approach to address light trapping limitations in thin-film optoelectronic devices. This study investigates the integration of metallic nanoparticle arrays onto nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) thin films to enhance optical absorption through pla...
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MDPI AG
2025-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/5/540 |
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| author | Mohsen Mahmoudysepehr Siva Sivoththaman |
| author_facet | Mohsen Mahmoudysepehr Siva Sivoththaman |
| author_sort | Mohsen Mahmoudysepehr |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Nanoplasmonic structures have emerged as a promising approach to address light trapping limitations in thin-film optoelectronic devices. This study investigates the integration of metallic nanoparticle arrays onto nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) thin films to enhance optical absorption through plasmonic effects. Using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, we systematically optimize key design parameters, including nanoparticle geometry, spacing, metal type (Ag and Al), dielectric spacer material, and absorber layer thickness. The results show that localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) significantly amplify near-field intensities, improve forward scattering, and facilitate coupling into waveguide modes within the active layer. These effects lead to a measurable increase in integrated quantum efficiency, with absorption improvements reaching up to 30% compared to bare nc-Si:H films. The findings establish a reliable design framework for engineering nanoplasmonic architectures that can be applied to enhance performance in photovoltaic devices, photodetectors, and other optoelectronic systems. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a4fb4e7d2ca142af9e5887515a7f5858 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2072-666X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Micromachines |
| spelling | doaj-art-a4fb4e7d2ca142af9e5887515a7f58582025-08-20T03:14:46ZengMDPI AGMicromachines2072-666X2025-04-0116554010.3390/mi16050540Harnessing Nanoplasmonics: Design Optimization for Enhanced Optoelectronic Performance in Nanocrystalline Silicon DevicesMohsen Mahmoudysepehr0Siva Sivoththaman1Power Solutions Group, Onsemi, Scottsdale, AZ 85250, USADepartment of Electrical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, CanadaNanoplasmonic structures have emerged as a promising approach to address light trapping limitations in thin-film optoelectronic devices. This study investigates the integration of metallic nanoparticle arrays onto nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) thin films to enhance optical absorption through plasmonic effects. Using finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations, we systematically optimize key design parameters, including nanoparticle geometry, spacing, metal type (Ag and Al), dielectric spacer material, and absorber layer thickness. The results show that localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPRs) significantly amplify near-field intensities, improve forward scattering, and facilitate coupling into waveguide modes within the active layer. These effects lead to a measurable increase in integrated quantum efficiency, with absorption improvements reaching up to 30% compared to bare nc-Si:H films. The findings establish a reliable design framework for engineering nanoplasmonic architectures that can be applied to enhance performance in photovoltaic devices, photodetectors, and other optoelectronic systems.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/5/540nanoplasmonicsmetallic nanoparticle arraysnanocrystalline silicon thin filmslight trappingfinite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulationsurface plasmon resonance |
| spellingShingle | Mohsen Mahmoudysepehr Siva Sivoththaman Harnessing Nanoplasmonics: Design Optimization for Enhanced Optoelectronic Performance in Nanocrystalline Silicon Devices Micromachines nanoplasmonics metallic nanoparticle arrays nanocrystalline silicon thin films light trapping finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation surface plasmon resonance |
| title | Harnessing Nanoplasmonics: Design Optimization for Enhanced Optoelectronic Performance in Nanocrystalline Silicon Devices |
| title_full | Harnessing Nanoplasmonics: Design Optimization for Enhanced Optoelectronic Performance in Nanocrystalline Silicon Devices |
| title_fullStr | Harnessing Nanoplasmonics: Design Optimization for Enhanced Optoelectronic Performance in Nanocrystalline Silicon Devices |
| title_full_unstemmed | Harnessing Nanoplasmonics: Design Optimization for Enhanced Optoelectronic Performance in Nanocrystalline Silicon Devices |
| title_short | Harnessing Nanoplasmonics: Design Optimization for Enhanced Optoelectronic Performance in Nanocrystalline Silicon Devices |
| title_sort | harnessing nanoplasmonics design optimization for enhanced optoelectronic performance in nanocrystalline silicon devices |
| topic | nanoplasmonics metallic nanoparticle arrays nanocrystalline silicon thin films light trapping finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulation surface plasmon resonance |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-666X/16/5/540 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mohsenmahmoudysepehr harnessingnanoplasmonicsdesignoptimizationforenhancedoptoelectronicperformanceinnanocrystallinesilicondevices AT sivasivoththaman harnessingnanoplasmonicsdesignoptimizationforenhancedoptoelectronicperformanceinnanocrystallinesilicondevices |