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

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.

SUBMITTER: Caffrey D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5020692 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature