Decoupling the refractive index from the electrical properties of transparent conducting oxides via periodic superlattices

Sci Rep. 2016 Sep 13:6:33006. doi: 10.1038/srep33006.

Abstract

We demonstrate an alternative approach to tuning the refractive index of materials. Current methodologies for tuning the refractive index of a material often result in undesirable changes to the structural or optoelectronic properties. By artificially layering a transparent conducting oxide with a lower refractive index material the overall film retains a desirable conductivity and mobility while acting optically as an effective medium with a modified refractive index. Calculations indicate that, with our refractive index change of 0.2, a significant reduction of reflective losses could be obtained by the utilisation of these structures in optoelectronic devices. Beyond this, periodic superlattice structures present a solution to decouple physical properties where the underlying electronic interaction is governed by different length scales.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't