Optical emission near a high-impedance mirror

TL;DR

This paper introduces a nanopatterned electrode design inspired by RF high-impedance surfaces that suppresses surface plasmon polariton losses, enhances optical emission, and improves efficiency in solid-state light emitters.

Contribution

The authors demonstrate a novel electrode nanopatterning approach that achieves high electrical conductivity and optical high-impedance, reducing plasmonic losses and enhancing emission in solid-state devices.

Findings

Suppressed surface plasmon polariton excitations across visible spectrum.

Enhanced photoluminescence and emission efficiency.

Achieved Lambertian emission profile.

Abstract

Solid state light emitters rely on metallic contacts with high sheet-conductivity for effective charge injection. Unfortunately, such contacts also support surface plasmon polariton (SPP) excitations that dissipate optical energy into the metal and limit the external quantum efficiency. Here, inspired by the concept of radio-frequency (RF) high-impedance surfaces and their use in conformal antennas we illustrate how electrodes can be nanopatterned to simultaneously provide a high DC electrical conductivity and high-impedance at optical frequencies. Such electrodes do not support SPPs across the visible spectrum and greatly suppress dissipative losses while facilitating a desirable Lambertian emission profile. We verify this concept by studying the emission enhancement and photoluminescence lifetime for a dye emitter layer deposited on the electrodes.