RESUMO
The effect of the presence of substrates below metal grids on light transmission is investigated through finite-different time-domain (FDTD) simulations. Comparing grids on substrates with suspended grids, we identify the effects of the presence of substrates on the transmittances of metal grids. The presence of substrates below micron-scale grids has no specific effect on their transmittances; however, unexpected dips and flattened peaks in transmission spectra were observed in nano-scale grids. The figures of merits (FoMs) of metal grids are calculated using estimated transmittances and grid sheet resistances. Due to their lower resistances and higher transmittances, micron-scale grids show higher FoMs than nano-scale grids and, are thus promising transparent conducting electrode candidates. The best 1D grid electrode in this work exhibited a figure of merit, σ(dc)/σ(op), > 1000.
RESUMO
We investigated transparent conducting electrodes consisting of periodic one-dimensional Ag or Al grids with widths from 25 nm to 5 µm via the finite-difference time-domain method. To retain high transmittance, two grid configurations with opening ratios of 90% and 95% were simulated. Polarization-dependent characteristics of the transmission spectra revealed that the overall transmittance of micron-scale grid electrodes may be estimated by the sum of light power passing through the uncovered area and the light power penetrating the covered metal layer. However, several dominant physical phenomena significantly affect the transmission spectra of the nanoscale grids: Rayleigh anomaly, transmission decay in TE polarized mode, and localized surface plasmon resonance. We conclude that, for applications of transparent electrodes, the critical feature sizes of conducting 1D grids should not be less than the wavelength scale in order to maintain uniform and predictable transmission spectra and low electrical resistivity.