Transparent electrodes based on two-dimensional Ag nanogrids and double one-dimensional Ag nanogratings for organic photovoltaics

Abstract. The optical and electrical properties of optically thin one-dimensional (1-D) Ag nanogratings and two-dimensional (2-D) Ag nanogrids are studied, and their use as transparent electrodes in organic photovoltaics is explored. A large broadband and polarization-insensitive optical absorption enhancement in the organic light-harvesting layers is theoretically and numerically demonstrated using either single-layer 2-D Ag nanogrids or two perpendicular 1-D Ag nanogratings, and is attributed to the excitation of surface plasmon resonances and plasmonic cavity modes. Total photon absorption enhancements of 150% and 200% are achieved for the optimized single-layer 2-D Ag nanogrids and double (top and bottom) perpendicular 1-D Ag nanogratings, respectively.

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