Optical device
First Claim
1. An optical device having a surface for receiving light energy or for transmitting light energy, the device comprising:
- an electronic structure having an energy transfer region, wherein the electronic structure exhibits an electronic band gap with an associated energy;
a plurality of cavities extending from the surface of the device through the electronic structure and penetrating the energy transfer region, each cavity having a predetermined cross-sectional shape with one or more corresponding sidewalls extending from the surface of the device through the electronic structure, wherein surfaces of the sidewalls are passivated to chemically terminate dangling bonds at the surfaces of the sidewalls; and
a plurality of optically responsive particles disposed on at least one of the cavity sidewalls of each cavity in close spatial proximity to the energy transfer region, the plurality of optically responsive particles being adapted for;
emitting light energy towards the surface of the device via the respective cavity; and
energy transfer with the energy transfer region using a non-radiative energy transfer mechanism,wherein the electronic band gap energy of the electronic structure is greater than an electronic band gap energy of each optically responsive particle whereby, when an electric potential is applied to the electronic structure, energy is transferred non-radiatively to at least some of the optically responsive particles from the electronic structure via the energy transfer region through non-contact dipole-dipole interaction and is emitted as light energy by the at least some optically responsive particles;
wherein the plurality of cavities is arranged in a two-dimensional periodic or quasi-periodic array across the surface of the device with nearest-neighbour separation distance less than twice a wavelength of emission of the optically responsive particles whereby to permit cross-coupling of electromagnetic optical fields generated by optically responsive particles between cavities and the width of adjoining material between nearest-neighbour cavities is a function of the electronic recombination distance of the electronic structure.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An improved optoelectronic device is described, which employs optically responsive nanoparticles and utilises a non-radiative energy transfer mechanism. The nanoparticles are disposed on the sidewalls of one or more cavities, which extend from the surface of the device through the electronic structure and penetrate the energy transfer region. The nanoparticles are located in close spatial proximity to an energy transfer region, whereby energy is transferred non-radiatively to or from the electronic structure through non-contact dipole-dipole interaction. According to the mode of operation, the device can absorb light energy received from the device surface via the cavity and then transfer this non-radiatively or can transfer energy non-radiatively and then emit light energy towards the surface of the device via the cavity. As such, the deice finds application in light emitting devices, photovoltaic (solar) cells, displays, photodetectors, lasers and single photon devices.
10 Citations
27 Claims
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1. An optical device having a surface for receiving light energy or for transmitting light energy, the device comprising:
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an electronic structure having an energy transfer region, wherein the electronic structure exhibits an electronic band gap with an associated energy; a plurality of cavities extending from the surface of the device through the electronic structure and penetrating the energy transfer region, each cavity having a predetermined cross-sectional shape with one or more corresponding sidewalls extending from the surface of the device through the electronic structure, wherein surfaces of the sidewalls are passivated to chemically terminate dangling bonds at the surfaces of the sidewalls; and a plurality of optically responsive particles disposed on at least one of the cavity sidewalls of each cavity in close spatial proximity to the energy transfer region, the plurality of optically responsive particles being adapted for; emitting light energy towards the surface of the device via the respective cavity; and energy transfer with the energy transfer region using a non-radiative energy transfer mechanism, wherein the electronic band gap energy of the electronic structure is greater than an electronic band gap energy of each optically responsive particle whereby, when an electric potential is applied to the electronic structure, energy is transferred non-radiatively to at least some of the optically responsive particles from the electronic structure via the energy transfer region through non-contact dipole-dipole interaction and is emitted as light energy by the at least some optically responsive particles; wherein the plurality of cavities is arranged in a two-dimensional periodic or quasi-periodic array across the surface of the device with nearest-neighbour separation distance less than twice a wavelength of emission of the optically responsive particles whereby to permit cross-coupling of electromagnetic optical fields generated by optically responsive particles between cavities and the width of adjoining material between nearest-neighbour cavities is a function of the electronic recombination distance of the electronic structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification