Vapor condensation with daytime radiative cooling.

A radiative vapor condenser sheds heat in the form of infrared radiation and cools itself to below the ambient air temperature to produce liquid water from vapor. This effect has been known for centuries, and is exploited by some insects to survive in dry deserts. Humans have also been using radiative condensation for dew collection. However, all existing radiative vapor condensers must operate during the nighttime. Here, we develop daytime radiative condensers that continue to operate 24 h a day. These daytime radiative condensers can produce water from vapor under direct sunlight, without active consumption of energy. Combined with traditional passive cooling via convection and conduction, radiative cooling can substantially increase the performance of passive vapor condensation, which can be used for passive water extraction and purification technologies.

Dynamically switchable self-focused thermal emission.

The ability to manipulate thermal emission is paramount to the advancement of a wide variety of fields such as thermal management, sensing and thermophotovoltaics. In this work, we propose a microphotonic lens for achieving temperature-switchable self-focused thermal emission. By utilizing the coupling between isotropic localized resonators and the phase change properties of VO2, we design a lens that selectively emits focused radiation at a wavelength of 4 µm when operated above the phase transition temperature of VO2. Through direct calculation of thermal emission, we show that our lens produces a clear focal spot at the designed focal length above the phase transition of VO2 while emitting a maximum relative focal plane intensity that is 330 times lower below it. Such microphotonic devices capable of producing temperature-dependent focused thermal emission could benefit several applications such as thermal management and thermophotovoltaics while paving the way for next-generation contact-free sensing and on-chip infrared communication.

Thermal metasurface with tunable narrowband absorption from a hybrid graphene/silicon photonic crystal resonance.

We report the design of a tunable, narrowband, thermal metasurface that employs a hybrid resonance generated by coupling a tunable permittivity graphene ribbon to a silicon photonic crystal. The gated graphene ribbon array, proximitized to a high quality factor Si photonic crystal supporting a guided mode resonance, exhibits tunable narrowband absorbance lineshapes (Q > 10,000). Actively tuned Fermi level modulation in graphene with applied gate voltage between high absorptivity and low absorptivity states gives rise to absorbance on/off ratios exceeding 60. We employ coupled-mode theory as a computationally efficient approach to elements of the metasurface design, demonstrating an orders of magnitude speedup over typical finite element computational methods.

Spectral emissivity modeling in multi-resonant systems using coupled-mode theory.

The ability to design multi-resonant thermal emitters is essential to the advancement of a wide variety of applications, including thermal management and sensing. These fields would greatly benefit from the development of more efficient tools for predicting the spectral response of coupled, multi-resonator systems. In this work, we propose a semi-analytical prediction tool based on coupled-mode theory. In our approach, a complex thermal emitter is fully described by a set of coupled-mode parameters, which can be straightforwardly calculated from simulations of unit cells containing single and double resonators. We demonstrate the accuracy of our method by predicting and optimizing spectral response in a coupled, multi-resonant system based on hBN ribbons. The approach described here can greatly reduce the computational overhead associated with spectral design tasks in coupled, multi-resonant systems.

Controlling the minimal feature sizes in adjoint optimization of nanophotonic devices using b-spline surfaces.

Adjoint optimization is an effective method in the inverse design of nanophotonic devices. In order to ensure the manufacturability, one would like to have control over the minimal feature sizes. Here we propose utilizing a level-set method based on b-spline surfaces in order to control the feature sizes. This approach is first used to design a wavelength demultiplexer. It is also used to implement a nanophotonic structure for artificial neural computing. In both cases, we show that the minimal feature sizes can be easily parameterized and controlled.

Extended Range of Dipole-Dipole Interactions in Periodically Structured Photonic Media.

The interaction between quantum two-level systems is typically short range in free space and in most photonic environments. We show that diminishing momentum isosurfaces with equal frequencies can create a significantly extended range of interaction between distant quantum systems. The extended range is robust and does not rely on a specific location or orientation of the transition dipoles. A general relation between the interaction range and properties of the isosurface is described for structured photonic media. It provides a new way to mediate long-range quantum behavior.

Large-Scale Spinning of Silver Nanofibers as Flexible and Reliable Conductors.

Conducting metal nanowires can be assembled into thin films for flexible electronics and optoelectronics applications including transparent electrodes, nanocircuits, and electronic skin, however, the junction resistances and low aspect ratios still limit its performance. Herein we report high-quality silver nanofibers (AgNFs) synthesized by a gas-assistant solution spinning method. Compared with traditional Ag nanowires that usually have lengths below 100 µm, AgNFs are infinitely long and can be easily assembled into large-scale 2D and 3D flexible conductors with fused junctions between nanofibers. The AgNF networks showed high transparency, low sheet resistance (e. g, 6 Ω sq(-1) at ∼97% transparency), and high flexibility as transparent electrodes, whereas the 3D AgNF sponge could be used as a deformable and robust 3D conductor.

Quantum scattering theory of a single-photon Fock state in three-dimensional spaces.

A quantum scattering theory is developed for Fock states scattered by two-level systems in three-dimensional free space. It is built upon the one-dimensional scattering theory developed in waveguide quantum electrodynamics. The theory fully quantizes the incident light as Fock states and uses a non-perturbative method to calculate the scattering matrix.

Highly compact magneto-optical switches for metal-dielectric-metal plasmonic waveguides.

We introduce highly compact resonant-cavity-enhanced magneto-optical switches for metal-dielectric-metal (MDM) plasmonic waveguides. The field profile of the fundamental mode of a MDM waveguide in which the metal is subject to an externally applied static magnetic field is asymmetric. The static magnetic field induced asymmetry, which enhances or reduces the coupling between the waveguide and a side-coupled resonator, and the relatively large induced wave vector modulation are used to design a Fabry-Perot cavity magneto-optical switch, consisting of a MDM waveguide side-coupled to two MDM stub resonators. The on and off states correspond to either the presence or the absence of the externally applied static magnetic field.

Optical Fano resonance of an individual semiconductor nanostructure.

Fano resonances with a characteristic asymmetric line shape can be observed in light scattering, transmission and reflection spectra of resonant optical systems. They result from interference between direct and indirect, resonance-assisted pathways. In the nanophotonics field, Fano effects have been observed in a wide variety of systems, including metallic nanoparticle assemblies, metamaterials and photonic crystals. Their unique properties find extensive use in applications, including optical filtering, polarization selectors, sensing, lasers, modulators and nonlinear optics. We report on the observation of a Fano resonance in a single semiconductor nanostructure, opening up opportunities for their use in active photonic devices. We also show that Fano-resonant semiconductor nanostructures afford the intriguing opportunity to simultaneously measure the far-field scattering response and the near-field energy storage by extracting photogenerated charge. Together they can provide a complete experimental characterization of this type of resonance.

Control of radiative processes for energy conversion and harvesting.

We review recent advances in the fundamental understanding and technological applications of radiative processes for energy harvesting, conversion, efficiency, and sustainability. State-of-the-art and remaining challenges are discussed, together with the latest developments outlined in the papers comprising this focus issue. The topics range from the fundamentals of the thermal emission manipulation in the far and near field, to applications in radiative cooling, thermophotovoltaics, thermal rectification, and novel approaches to photon detection and conversion.

A multiple-resonator approach for broadband light absorption in a single layer of nanostructured graphene.

The interaction between two-dimensional (2D) materials and light is rather weak due to their ultrathin thickness. In order for these emerging 2D materials to achieve performances that are comparable to those of conventional optoelectronic devices, the light-material interaction must be significantly enhanced. An effective way to enhance the interaction is to use optical resonances. Efficient light absorption has been demonstrated in a single layer of graphene based on a variety of resonators. However, the bandwidth of the absorption enhancement is always narrow, which limits its application for optoelectronic devices. In order to broaden the enhancement of light-material interaction, here we propose a multiple-resonator approach based on nanostructured graphene. These nanostructures having different geometry support resonances at different frequencies. Owing to their deep subwavelength sizes, graphene resonators can be closely packed in space, resulting in a high optical density of states, which enables the broadband light absorption.

Extraordinarily Large Optical Cross Section for Localized Single Nanoresonator.

Using an optical nanoresonator to realize extreme concentration of light at subwavelength nanoscale dimensions is of both fundamental and practical significance. Unfortunately, the optical cross section of an isotropic nanoresonator is determined by the resonant wavelength, which unfavorably limits the highest concentration ratio. Here we show that the cross section of a localized subwavelength resonator can be drastically enhanced by orders of magnitude. A single microscopic nanoresonator could exhibit a macroscopic optical cross section. We further show that the enhancement can be implemented in simple dielectric structures that are readily compatible with optoelectronic integration. The giant optical cross section of a nano-object provides a versatile platform to create extremely strong light-matter interactions at the nanoscale.

Efficiency above the Shockley-Queisser limit by using nanophotonic effects to create multiple effective bandgaps with a single semiconductor.

We present a pure photonic approach to overcome the Shockley-Queisser limit. A single material can show different effective bandgap, set by its absorption spectrum, which depends on its photonic structure. In a tandem cell configuration constructed from a single material, one can achieve two different effective bandgaps, thereby exceeding the Shockley-Queisser limit.

Detailed balance analysis and enhancement of open-circuit voltage in single-nanowire solar cells.

We present a detailed balance analysis of current density-voltage modeling of a single-nanowire solar cell. Our analysis takes into account intrinsic material nonidealities in order to determine the theoretical efficiency limit of the single-nanowire solar cell. The analysis only requires the nanowire's absorption cross-section over all angles, which can be readily calculated analytically. We show that the behavior of both the current and voltage is due to coherent effects that arise from resonances of the nanowire. In addition, we elucidate the physics of open-circuit voltage enhancement over bulk cells in nanowires, by showing that the enhancement is related to the removal of resonances in the immediate spectral vicinity above the bandgap.

Spectral analysis based on compressive sensing in nanophotonic structures.

A method of spectral sensing based on compressive sensing is shown to have the potential to achieve high resolution in a compact device size. The random bases used in compressive sensing are created by the optical response of a set of different nanophotonic structures, such as photonic crystal slabs. The complex interferences in these nanostructures offer diverse spectral features suitable for compressive sensing.

Two-dimensional chalcogenide nanoplates as tunable metamaterials via chemical intercalation.

New plasmonic materials with tunable properties are in great need for nanophotonics and metamaterials applications. Here we present two-dimensional layered, metal chalcogenides as tunable metamaterials that feature both dielectric photonic and plasmonic modes across a wide spectral range from the infrared to ultraviolet. The anisotropic layered structure allows intercalation of organic molecules and metal atoms at the van der Waals gap of the host chalcogenide, presenting a chemical route to create heterostructures with molecular and atomic precision for photonic and plasmonic applications. This marks a departure from a lithographic method to create metamaterials. Monochromated electron energy-loss spectroscopy in a scanning transmission electron microscope was used to first establish the presence of the dielectric photonic and plasmonic modes in M2E3 (M = Bi, Sb; E = Se, Te) nanoplates and to observe marked changes in these modes after chemical intercalation. We show that these modal properties can also be tuned effectively by more conventional methods such as thickness control and alloy composition of the nanoplates.

Adjoint-Optimized Large Dielectric Metasurface for Enhanced Purcell Factor and Directional Photon Emission.

Extracting photons efficiently from quantum sources, such as atoms, molecules, and quantum dots, is crucial for various nanophotonic systems used in quantum communication, sensing, and computation. To improve the performance of these systems, it is not only necessary to provide an environment that maximizes the number of optical modes, but it is also desirable to guide the extracted light toward specific directions. One way to achieve this goal is to use a large area metasurface that can steer the beam. Previous work has used small aperture devices that are fundamentally limited in their ability to achieve high directivity. This work proposes an adjoint-based topology optimization approach to design a large light extractor that can enhance the spontaneous decay rate of the embedded quantum transition and collimate the extracted photons. With the help of this approach, we present all-dielectric metasurfaces for a quantum transition emitting at λ = 600 nm. These metasurfaces achieve a broadband improvement of spontaneous emission compared to that in the vacuum, reaching a 10× enhancement at the design frequency. Furthermore, they can beam the extracted light into a narrow cone (±10°) along a desired direction that is predefined through their respective design process.

Detailed balance analysis of nanophotonic solar cells.

We present a detailed balance based approach for performing current density-voltage characteristic modeling of nanophotonic solar cells. This approach takes into account the intrinsic material non-idealities, and is useful for determining the theoretical limit of solar cell efficiency for a given structure. Our approach only requires the cell's absorption spectra over all angles, which can be readily calculated using available simulation tools. Using this approach, we elucidate the physics of open-circuit voltage enhancement over bulk cells in nanoscale thin film structures, by showing that the enhancement is related to the absorption suppression in the immediate spectral region above the bandgap. We also show that with proper design, the use of a grating on a nanoscale thin film can increase its short-circuit current, while preserving its voltage-enhancing capabilities.

Photonic de Haas-van Alphen effect.

Based on the recently proposed concept of effective gauge potential and magnetic field for photons, we numerically demonstrate a photonic de Haas-van Alphen effect. We show that in a dynamically modulated photonic resonator lattice exhibiting an effect magnetic field, the trajectories of the light beam at a given frequency have the same shape as the constant energy contour for the photonic band structure of the lattice in the absence of the effective magnetic field.