Impact of substrates and quantum effects on exciton line shapes

In our latest paper in Nanophotonics, we systematically study the influence of the substrate on the observed line shape in reflection measurements of monolayer 2D semiconductors. A detailed scattered-field analysis highlights an intuitive understanding of the interference of the exciton radiation and substrate reflection. We also show how an index-matched configuration enables a direct estimate of the quantum mechanical rephrasing rate, even at room temperature!

Light-trapping metasurface for ultra-thin silicon solar cells

Check out our new paper in Advanced Materials where we demonstrate 2.8-micron thin crystalline silicon solar cell with an 11.2% efficiency using a metasurface for broadband light trapping and antireflection. Delicate design of multiple Mie resonances across the solar spectrum combined with engineered diffraction channels enable highly efficient light absorption. At the same time, the nanotextured silicon surface exhibits uniquely good surface passivation using a thin conformal oxidation layer.