11 research outputs found
Absorption profile modulation by means of 1D digital plasmonic gratings
No full textOptical simulations of 1D digital plasmonic gratings on a Silicon substrate are performed by means of the Finite Elements Method and a modal analysis. The different mechanisms of transmission of the light are elucidated. The absorption profile in Silicon can be modulated and controlled changing the geometry. Configuration maps allow to determine the different optical regimes. Surface Plasmon Polaritons and cavity-mode resonances are shown to be effectively exploitable to enhance NIR-light absorption in different shallower regions of the underlying Silicon
Light absorption enhancement in heterostructure organic solar cells through the integration of 1-D plasmonic gratings
No full textThe integration of a plasmonic lamellar grating in a heterostructure organic solar cell as a light trapping mechanism is investigated with numerical Finite Elements simulations. A global optimization of all the geometric parameters has been performed. The obtained wide-band enhancement in optical absorption is correlated with both the propagating and the localized plasmonic modes of the structure, which have been identified and characterized in detail
Integrated architecture for the electrical detection of plasmonic resonances based on high electron mobility photo-transistors
No full textWe report the design of an integrated platform for on-chip electrical transduction of the surface plasmon resonance supported by a nanostructured metal grating. The latter is fabricated on the active area of a GaAs/AlGaAs photo-HEMT and simultaneously works as the electronic gate of the device. The gold plasmonic crystal has a V-groove profile and has been designed by numerical optical simulations. By showing that the numerical models accurately reproduce the phototransistors experimental response, we demonstrate that the proposed architecture is suitable for the development of a new class of compact and scalable SPR sensors
Fabrication of "nano-rocket-tips" for plasmonic nanofocusing
No full textNano-rocket-tip arrays were fabricated in silicon by using focused ion-beam (FIB) milling and then double-replica molded to obtain transparent polymeric tips that finally were coated with a metallic layer. The milling process was investigated under different beam conditions, which determine an aspect ratio and the radius of the tips. Simulations show that metallic coated nano-rocket tips are able to focus surface plasmons to produce important light intensity enhancement factors that can be exploited for high sensitivity molecular detection useful in biosensor, cell analysis, DNA hybridization studies, etc
Integrazione di reticoli plasmonici in dispositivi optoelettronici
No full text2011/2012ABSTRACT
This thesis deals with the control of light absorption in semiconductor devices by the plasmonic resonances of periodically arranged metallic nanostructures integrated on them. Metallic gratings support propagating (SPP) and localized (LSP) plasmonic excitations and surface plasmons-related phenomena, like Extraordinary Optical Transmission (EOT) and plasmonic band gaps, as well as conventional diffraction effects. We combine all the optical resonances outlined to tune the incoupling and distribution of incident photons in the absorbing semiconductor substrate. In particular we consider the application of these concepts to two typologies of optoelectronic devices: photovoltaic solar cells and phototransistors.
In the case of photovoltaic devices the objective is to increase the energy conversion efficiency by enhancing light harvesting and re-shaping the absorption profile, in order to improve the collection of photo-generated charge carriers. We begin analyzing a case study, a one-dimensional lamellar grating placed on a silicon substrate, by numerical optical simulations. The aim is to find the coupling conditions of the resonances supported, by designing the geometric parameters of the nanostructures, and showing their impact on the generation profile. These findings are then applied for light trapping purpose to two realistic solar cell layouts. SPP and LSP resonances are able to provide high near field magnification and effectively enhance the absorption of ultrathin organic solar cells. On the other hand, EOT coupled to diffraction orders are more suited to wafer-based Si cells. Then we present the fabrication process developed to realize the designed nanostructures over the large surface area of Si photovoltaic devices. By experiments and simulation we show that an improvement of Internal Quantum Efficiency can be obtained compared to unpatterned devices.
Concerning the phototransistors, the aim is use them as compact and scalable biosensors by integrating a plasmonic crystal on the active area. By simulations the grating is designed to maximize transmittance variation due the plasmon resonance shift related to the surface binding of bio-analyte molecules. This event is transduced into an electrical signal at device terminals, as confirmed by characterizations on the first prototypes fabricated. The metallic grating simultaneously works as plasmonic structure and as electronic gate of the transistor in a fully integrated architecture.SOMMARIO
In questa tesi viene trattata la tematica del controllo dell’assorbimento di luce in dispositivi a semiconduttore tramite le risonanze plasmoniche proprie di nanostrutture metalliche integrate con disposizione periodica. Reticoli metallici supportano eccitazioni plasmoniche propaganti (SPP) e localizzate (LSP) e fenomeni correlati ai plasmoni di superficie, quali la trasmissione ottica straordinaria (EOT) e la creazione band gap plasmoniche, così come effetti di diffrazione convenzionali. Tali risonanze ottiche sono state combinate per regolare l’accoppiamento e la distribuzione dei fotoni incidenti in substrati semiconduttori assorbenti. In particolare consideriamo l’applicazione di tali concetti a due tipologie di dispositivi optoelettronici: celle solari fotovoltaiche e foto-transistor.
Nel caso dei dispositivi fotovoltaici, l’obiettivo è aumentare l’efficienza di conversione energetica tramite una maggiore raccolta di luce e la redistribuzione del profilo di assorbimento, in modo da migliorare la raccolta dei portatori di carica fotogenerati. L’analisi di un caso di studio, un reticolo lamellare monodimensionale posto su un substrato di silicio, tramite simulazioni ottiche per via numerica, serve a trovare le condizioni di accoppiamento delle risonanze supportate, dimensionando i parametri geometrici delle nanostrutture, e mostrare il loro impatto sul profilo di generazione. Questi risultati sono quindi applicati, per finalità di “light trapping”, a due strutture realistiche di celle solari. Le risonanze SPP e LSP sono capaci di fornire una grande intensificazione del campo vicino e aumentano efficacemente l’assorbimento di celle solari organiche ultra-sottili. D’altro canto, la combinazione di EOT e ordini di diffrazione è più adatta per celle solari spesse in Si. Quindi presentiamo il processo di fabbricazione sviluppato per realizzare le nanostrutture progettate sulle ampie superfici dei dispositivi fotovoltaici in Si. Esperimenti e simulazioni mostrano che è possibile ottenere un aumento dell’efficienza quantica interna rispetto ai dispositivi non nanostrutturati.
Per quanto riguarda i foto-transistor, l’obiettivo è utilizzarli come biosensori compatti e scalabili tramite l’integrazione di cristalli plasmonici sull’area attiva. Il reticolo è stato progettato in modo da massimizzare variazioni di trasmittanza dovute alla modulazione delle risonanze plasmoniche indotta dal legame di bio-molecole sulla superficie. Questo evento è trasdotto in un segnale elettrico misurabile ai capi del dispositivo, come confermato dalle caratterizzazioni sui primi prototipi fabbricati. Il reticolo metallico funziona simultaneamente come struttura plasmonica e come gate elettronico del transistor in un’architettura totalmente integrata.XXV Ciclo198
Sinusoidal plasmonic crystals for bio-detection sensors
No full textCorrugated gratings coated with thin films of noble metals have been recognized to be useful substrates for bio-detection by means of the excitation of surface plasmon polaritons (SPP). These substrates show superior performances in terms both of detection limit and of simplicity of detection configuration compared to the classical Kretschmann SPP. A 1D sinusoidal corrugation of the metal-air interface has been
fabricated by means of laser interference lithography and metal evaporation. In this paper we report progress in the optimization of the sinusoidal grating surface profile. The quality of the fabricated samples has been proved by the good agreement between experimental and simulated results
Risk factors for musculoskeletal injuries in the military : a qualitative systematic review of the literature from the past two decades and a new prioritizing injury model
No full textFunding Information: The authors would like to thank LTC Dr. Damien Van Tiggelen (Belgium) and Ms. Beatriz Sanz-Bustillo Aguirre (Spain) for their participation and input in the discussion during the HFM-283 meeting in Cologne (Germany) in January 2020. Publisher Copyright: © 2021, The Author(s).Background: Musculoskeletal injuries (MSkIs) are a leading cause of health care utilization, as well as limited duty and disability in the US military and other armed forces. MSkIs affect members of the military during initial training, operational training, and deployment and have a direct negative impact on overall troop readiness. Currently, a systematic overview of all risk factors for MSkIs in the military is not available. Methods: A systematic literature search was carried out using the PubMed, Ovid/Medline, and Web of Science databases from January 1, 2000 to September 10, 2019. Additionally, a reference list scan was performed (using the “snowball method”). Thereafter, an international, multidisciplinary expert panel scored the level of evidence per risk factor, and a classification of modifiable/non-modifiable was made. Results: In total, 176 original papers and 3 meta-analyses were included in the review. A list of 57 reported potential risk factors was formed. For 21 risk factors, the level of evidence was considered moderate or strong. Based on this literature review and an in-depth analysis, the expert panel developed a model to display the most relevant risk factors identified, introducing the idea of the “order of importance” and including concepts that are modifiable/non-modifiable, as well as extrinsic/intrinsic risk factors. Conclusions: This is the qualitative systematic review of studies on risk factors for MSkIs in the military that has attempted to be all-inclusive. A total of 57 different potential risk factors were identified, and a new, prioritizing injury model was developed. This model may help us to understand risk factors that can be addressed, and in which order they should be prioritized when planning intervention strategies within military groups.Peer reviewe
Dysregulated miR-671-5p / CDR1-AS / CDR1 / VSNL1 axis is involved in glioblastoma multiforme
No full textCurative therapies are superior to standard of care (transarterial chemoembolization) for intermediate stage hepatocellular carcinoma
No full text
