Effect of Plasmonic Ag Nanoparticles on Emission Properties of Planar GaN Nanowires.

The combination of plasmonic nanoparticles and semiconductor substrates changes the properties of hybrid structures that can be used for various applications in optoelectronics, photonics, and sensing. Structures formed by colloidal Ag nanoparticles (NPs) with a size of 60 nm and planar GaN nanowires (NWs) have been studied by optical spectroscopy. GaN NWs have been grown using selective-area metalorganic vapor phase epitaxy. A modification of the emission spectra of hybrid structures has been observed. In the vicinity of the Ag NPs, a new emission line appears at 3.36 eV. To explain the experimental results, a model considering the Fröhlich resonance approximation is suggested. The effective medium approach is used to describe the enhancement of emission features near the GaN band gap.

Retraction: Polyethylene glycol-doped BiZn2VO6 as a high-efficiency solar-light-activated photocatalyst with substantial durability toward photodegradation of organic contaminations.

[This retracts the article DOI: 10.1039/C8RA06896H.].

Quantum analysis of luminescence of an exciton in a meso-cavity.

Interaction of cavity modes with an exciton in a meso-cavity (the structure supporting several cavity modes separated by an energy interval comparable to Rabi-splitting of an exciton and cavity modes) has been analyzed using a quantum-mechanical approach. Simultaneous interaction of an exciton and several cavity modes results in few novel effects such as ladder-like increase of the exciton population in the system, quantum beating and non-monotonic dependence of the ground polariton state in the system on the pumping.

Development of ß-Ga2O3 layers growth on sapphire substrates employing modeling of precursors ratio in halide vapor phase epitaxy reactor.

Gallium oxide is a promising semiconductor with great potential for efficient power electronics due to its ultra-wide band gap and high breakdown electric field. Optimization of halide vapor phase epitaxy growth of heteroepitaxial [Formula: see text]-Ga2O3 layers is demonstrated using a simulation model to predict the distribution of the ratio of gallium to oxygen precursors inside the reactor chamber. The best structural quality is obtained for layers grown at 825-850 °C and with a III/VI precursor ratio of 0.2. Although the structural and optical properties are similar, the surface morphology is more deteriorated for the [Formula: see text]-Ga2O3 layers grown on 5 degree off-axis sapphire substrates compared to on-axis samples even for optimized process parameters. Cathodoluminescence with a peak at 3.3 eV is typical for unintentionally doped n-type [Formula: see text]-Ga2O3 and shows the appearance of additional emissions in blue and green region at ~ 3.0, ~ 2.8, ~ 2.6 and ~ 2.4 eV, especially when the growth temperatures is lowered to 800-825 °C. Estimation of the band gap energy to ~ 4.65 eV from absorption indicates a high density of vacancy defects.

Control of the surface plasmon dispersion and Purcell effect at the metamaterial-dielectric interface.

The use of metamaterial as a way to mitigate the negative effects of absorption in metals on the Purcell effect in metal-dielectric structures is investigated. A layered metal-dielectric structure is considered as an anisotropic medium in the long-wavelength limit. The dispersion of the surface plasmon appearing at the boundary between such a structure and a different dielectric material, as well as the position of the peak in the local density of states are studied for various combinations of materials and filling factors of the periodic structure. The calculated frequency dependence of the Purcell factor demonstrates an increase in peak value compared to the conventional plasmonic structure. The results obtained using effective media approach are compared to the results of numerical modelling.

Proposal for a photoacoustic ultrasonic generator based on Tamm plasmon structures.

The scheme of a generation of ultrasound waves based on optically excited Tamm plasmon structures is proposed. It is shown that Tamm plasmon structures can provide total absorption of a laser pulse with arbitrary wavelength in a metallic layer providing the possibility of the use of an infrared semiconductor laser for the excitation of ultrasound waves. Laser pulse absorption, heat transfer and dynamical properties of the structure are modeled, and the optimal design of the structure is found. It is demonstrated that the Tamm plasmon-based photoacoustic generator can emit ultrasound waves in the frequency band up to 100 MHz with predefined frequency spectrum.

Weak and strong coupling of photons and excitons in planar meso-cavities.

The interaction of an exciton and cavity modes is considered in planar meso-cavities, which have lateral sizes corresponding to few wavelengths. In meso-cavities, the frequency interval between the optical modes is comparable or smaller than the value of the Rabi splitting between the exciton and the optical modes. The Hamiltonian of the interaction between the exciton and the cavity modes is constructed, and it is shown that such an interaction between the cavity modes and the exciton can occur both in weak and in strong coupling regimes. The latter case can be accompanied by a pronounced splitting of the emission peaks as shown for modelled meso-cavities of triangular, square and hexagonal shapes, where it is demonstrated that Q-factors for the adjacent cavity modes as well as the strength of interaction with excitons can differ by few orders of magnitude.

Perovskite-molecule composite thin films for efficient and stable light-emitting diodes.

Although perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) have recently experienced significant progress, there are only scattered reports of PeLEDs with both high efficiency and long operational stability, calling for additional strategies to address this challenge. Here, we develop perovskite-molecule composite thin films for efficient and stable PeLEDs. The perovskite-molecule composite thin films consist of in-situ formed high-quality perovskite nanocrystals embedded in the electron-transport molecular matrix, which controls nucleation process of perovskites, leading to PeLEDs with a peak external quantum efficiency of 17.3% and half-lifetime of approximately 100 h. In addition, we find that the device degradation mechanism at high driving voltages is different from that at low driving voltages. This work provides an effective strategy and deep understanding for achieving efficient and stable PeLEDs from both material and device perspectives.

Single-emissive-layer all-perovskite white light-emitting diodes employing segregated mixed halide perovskite crystals.

Metal halide perovskites have demonstrated impressive properties for achieving efficient monochromatic light-emitting diodes. However, the development of white perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) remains a big challenge. Here, we demonstrate a single-emissive-layer all-perovskite white PeLED using a mixed halide perovskite film as the emissive layer. The perovskite film consists of separated mixed halide perovskite phases with blue and red emissions, which are beneficial for suppressing halide anion exchange and preventing charge transfer. As a result, the white PeLED shows balanced white light emission with Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage coordinates of (0.33, 0.33). In addition, we find that the achievement of white light emission from mixed halide perovskites strongly depends on effective modulation of the halide salt precursors, especially lead bromide and benzamidine hydrochloride in our case. Our work provides very useful guidelines for realizing single-emissive-layer all-perovskite white PeLEDs based on mixed halide perovskites, which will spur the development of high-performance white PeLEDs.

Enhancement of light emission in Bragg monolayer-thick quantum well structures.

Control over spontaneous emission rate is important for improving efficiency in different semiconductor applications including lasers, LEDs and photovoltaics. Usually, an emitter should be placed inside the cavity to increase the spontaneous emission rate, although it is technologically challenging. Here we experimentally demonstrate a phenomenon of super-radiance observed in a cavity-less periodic Bragg structure based on InAs monolayer-thick multiple quantum wells (MQW). The collective super-radiant mode shows enhanced emission rate for specific angles and frequencies. This behaviour correlates with the calculations demonstrating individual spots of the enhanced Purcell coefficient near the Bragg condition curve. This study provides a perspective for realization of surface emitting cavity-less lasers with distributed feedback.

Revising of the Purcell effect in periodic metal-dielectric structures: the role of absorption.

Periodic metal-dielectric structures attract substantial interest since it was previously proposed that the spontaneous emission amplification rates (the Purcell factor) in such structures can reach enormous values up to 105. However, the role of absorption in real metals has not been thoroughly considered. We provide a theoretical analysis showing that absorption leads to diminishing values of Purcell factor. We also suggest that using emitting organic compounds such as CBP (4,4-Bis(N-carbazolyl)-1,1-biphenyl) can lead to a moderate increase of about an order of magnitude in the Purcell factor. Defining the experimentally measured Purcell factor as a ratio between the excited state lifetimes in bare CBP and in periodic structure, this increase in the fabricated periodic structure is demonstrated through a 4-8 times decrease in excited state radiative lifetime compared to a bare organic material in a wide emission spectrum.

Graphene-based plasmonic nanocomposites for highly enhanced solar-driven photocatalytic activities.

High-efficiency photocatalysts are crucial for the removal of organic pollutants and environmental sustainability. In the present work, we report on a new low-temperature hydrothermal chemical method, assisted by ultrasonication, to synthesize disruptive plasmonic ZnO/graphene/Ag/AgI nanocomposites for solar-driven photocatalysis. The plasmonic nanocomposites were investigated by a wide range of characterization techniques, confirming successful formation of photocatalysts with excellent degradation efficiency. Using Congo red as a model dye molecule, our experimental results demonstrated a photocatalytic reactivity exceeding 90% efficiency after one hour simulated solar irradiation. The significantly enhanced degradation efficiency is attributed to improved electronic properties of the nanocomposites by hybridization of the graphene and to the addition of Ag/AgI which generates a strong surface plasmon resonance effect in the metallic silver further improving the photocatalytic activity and stability under solar irradiation. Scavenger experiments suggest that superoxide and hydroxyl radicals are responsible for the photodegradation of Congo red. Our findings are important for the fundamental understanding of the photocatalytic mechanism of ZnO/graphene/Ag/AgI nanocomposites and can lead to further development of novel efficient photocatalyst materials.

Design rules for minimizing voltage losses in high-efficiency organic solar cells.

The open-circuit voltage of organic solar cells is usually lower than the values achieved in inorganic or perovskite photovoltaic devices with comparable bandgaps. Energy losses during charge separation at the donor-acceptor interface and non-radiative recombination are among the main causes of such voltage losses. Here we combine spectroscopic and quantum-chemistry approaches to identify key rules for minimizing voltage losses: (1) a low energy offset between donor and acceptor molecular states and (2) high photoluminescence yield of the low-gap material in the blend. Following these rules, we present a range of existing and new donor-acceptor systems that combine efficient photocurrent generation with electroluminescence yield up to 0.03%, leading to non-radiative voltage losses as small as 0.21 V. This study provides a rationale to explain and further improve the performance of recently demonstrated high-open-circuit-voltage organic solar cells.

Approach to high quality GaN lateral nanowires and planar cavities fabricated by focused ion beam and metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy.

We have developed a method to fabricate GaN planar nanowires and cavities by combination of Focused Ion Beam (FIB) patterning of the substrate followed by Metal Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE). The method includes depositing a silicon nitride mask on a sapphire substrate, etching of the trenches in the mask by FIB with a diameter of 40 nm with subsequent MOVPE growth of GaN within trenches. It was observed that the growth rate of GaN is substantially increased due to enhanced bulk diffusion of the growth precursor therefore the model for analysis of the growth rate was developed. The GaN strips fabricated by this method demonstrate effective luminescence properties. The structures demonstrate enhancement of spontaneous emission via formation of Fabry-Perot modes.

Polyethylene glycol-doped BiZn2VO6 as a high-efficiency solar-light-activated photocatalyst with substantial durability toward photodegradation of organic contaminations.

In this study, we focus on a simple, low-priced, and mild condition hydrothermal route to construct BiZn2VO6 nanocompounds (NCs) as a novel photocatalyst with strong solar light absorption ability for environmental purification using solar energy. NCs were further doped with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to improve their photocatalytic efficiency for photodegradation processes through inhibition of fast charge carrier recombination rates and higher charge separation efficiency. Surface morphology, phase structure, optical characteristics, and band structure of the as-prepared samples were analyzed using XRD, EDX, XPS, SEM, UV-vis spectroscopy, CL, and BET techniques. PEG-doped BiZn2VO6 NCs were applied as effective materials to degrade various kinds of organic pollutants including cationic and anionic types, and these NCs exhibited excellent photocatalytic efficiency as compared to traditional photocatalysts. In particular, the PEG-doped BiZn2VO6 (0.10% w/v) photocatalyst exhibited highly enhanced photocatalytic performance with improvements of about 46.4, 28.3, and 7.23 folds compared with PEG-doped ZnO nanorods (NRs), pristine BiVO4, and BiZn2VO6 samples, respectively, for the decomposition of congo red (CR) dye. After 40 minutes of sunlight irradiation, 97.4% of CR was decomposed. In this study, scavenging experiments indicated that both hydroxyl radicals and holes play dominant roles in CR photodegradation under simulated solar light irradiation. Meanwhile, the optimal photocatalyst demonstrated good reproducibility and stability for successive cycles of photocatalysis.

Near band gap luminescence in hybrid organic-inorganic structures based on sputtered GaN nanorods.

Novel hybrid organic-inorganic nanostructures fabricated to utilize non-radiative resonant energy transfer mechanism are considered to be extremely attractive for a variety of light emitters for down converting of ultaviolet light and for photovoltaic applications since they can be much more efficient compared to devices grown with common design. Organic-inorganic hybrid structures based on green polyfluorene (F8BT) and GaN (0001) nanorods grown by magnetron sputtering on Si (111) substrates are studied. In such nanorods, stacking faults can form periodic polymorphic quantum wells characterized by bright luminescence. In difference to GaN exciton emission, the recombination rate for the stacking fault related emission increases in the presence of polyfluorene film, which can be understood in terms of Förster interaction mechanism. From comparison of dynamic properties of the stacking fault related luminescence in the hybrid structures and in the bare GaN nanorods, the pumping efficiency of non-radiative resonant energy transfer in hybrids was estimated to be as high as 35% at low temperatures.

Dynamic properties of excitons in ZnO/AlGaN/GaN hybrid nanostructures.

Hybrid samples based on ZnO colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) deposited on AlGaN/GaN quantum well (QW) structures with different top barrier thickness d = 3, 6 and 9 nm are studied by time-resolved photoluminescence. Thermal behavior of the QW exciton lifetime in the hybrids and in the bare QW structures has been compared and it has been found that the QW exciton recombination rate increases in the hybrid having d = 3 nm and decreases in the hybrid with d = 6 nm, while no change has been observed for the structure with d = 9 nm. It is suggested that non-radiative resonance energy transfer from the QW excitons to the ZnO NCs and a variation of the surface potential can both influence the QW exciton lifetime in the hybrids.

Decoration of ZnO Nanorods with Coral Reefs like NiO Nanostructures by the Hydrothermal Growth Method and Their Luminescence Study.

Composite nanostructures of coral reefs like p-type NiO/n-type ZnO were synthesized on fluorine-doped tin oxide glass substrates by hydrothermal growth. Structural characterization was performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques. This investigation shows that the adopted synthesis leads to high crystalline quality nanostructures. The morphological study shows that the coral reefs like nanostructures are densely packed on the ZnO nanorods. Cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra for the synthesized composite nanostructures are dominated mainly by a broad interstitial defect related luminescence centered at ~630 nm. Spatially resolved CL images reveal that the luminescence of the decorated ZnO nanostructures is enhanced by the presence of the NiO.

Dependence of resonance energy transfer on exciton dimensionality.

We investigate the dependence of resonance energy transfer from Wannier-Mott excitons to an organic overlayer on exciton dimensionality. We exploit the excitonic potential disorder in a single quantum well to tune the balance between localized and free excitons by scaling the Boltzmann distribution of excitons through temperature. Theoretical calculations predict the experimentally observed temperature dependence of resonance energy transfer and allow us to quantify the contribution of localized and free excitons. We show that free excitons can undergo resonance energy transfer with an order of magnitude higher rate compared to localized excitons, emphasizing the potential of hybrid optoelectronic devices utilizing resonance energy transfer as a means to overcome charge transfer related limitations.

Growth of GaN nanotubes by halide vapor phase epitaxy.

We have investigated low temperature growth of GaN nanostructures using halide vapor phase epitaxy on c-oriented Al(2)O(3) and Au coated Al(2)O(3) substrates. Depending on the III/V ratio and the growth temperature, the shape and density of the structures could be controlled. By increasing the GaCl partial pressure, the structure changed from dot-like to nanotubes. The nanotubes, which could be open or closed, were about 1 µm long with a diameter of typically 200 nm. In addition, it was observed that the nanostructures were spontaneously nucleated at droplets of Ga or, when using Au coated Al(2)O(3), on droplets of Au/Ga alloy. By varying the growth temperature, the inner diameter of the nanotubes could be controlled. The experimental results suggest that this approach with pre-patterned Au coated Al(2)O(3)substrates has the potential for fabrication of well-organized nanotubes with a high density.