Related papers: Infrared absorbers inspired by nature
Metasurfaces are artificial thin materials that achieve optical thickness through thin geometrical structure. This feature of metasurfaces results in unprecedented benefits for enhancing the performance of optoelectronic devices. In this…
The scientific community has witnessed tremendous expansion of research on layered (i.e. two-dimensional, 2D) materials, with increasing recent focus on applications to photonics. Layered materials are particularly exciting for manipulating…
Mid-infrared photothermal microscopy is a new chemical imaging technology in which a visible beam senses the photothermal effect induced by a pulsed infrared laser. This technology provides infrared spectroscopic information at sub-micron…
Wearable biosensors increasingly require continuous and battery-free power sources, but conventional skin-mounted thermoelectric generators are limited by the small temperature differences available in real environments. This work…
Silicon photodetectors operating at near-infrared wavelengths with high-speed and high sensitivity are becoming critical for emerging applications, such as Light Detection and Ranging Systems (LIDAR), quantum communications, and medical…
In the recent years, we observe a dramatic boost of research in photonics empowered by the concepts of machine learning and artificial intelligence. The corresponding photonic systems, to which this new methodology is applied, can range…
Vibrational energy harvesters capture mechanical energy from ambient vibrations and convert the mechanical energy into electrical energy to power wireless electronic systems. Challenges exist in the process of capturing mechanical energy…
Elaborating reliable and versatile strategies for efficient light coupling between free space and thin films is of crucial importance for new technologies in energy efficiency. Nanostructured materials have opened unprecedented…
Photosynthetic organisms use networks of chromophores to absorb sunlight and deliver the energy to reaction centres, where charge separation triggers a cascade of chemical steps to store the energy. We present a detailed model of the…
A common problem of light sources emitting from an homogeneous high-refractive index medium into air is the loss of photons by total internal reflection. Bioluminescent organisms, as well as artificial devices, have to face this problem. It…
Even though sunlight is by far the most abundant renewable energy source available to humanity, its dilute and variable nature has kept efficient ways to collect, store, and distribute this energy tantalisingly out of reach. Turning the…
Confining electromagnetic energy is crucial to enhance light-matter interactions, with important implications for science and technology. Here, we discuss the opportunities offered by trapping and confining light in open structures, based…
Recent research and development in the mid-infrared (IR) wavelength range (2-20 um) for a variety of applications, such as trace gas monitoring, thermal imaging, and free space communications have shown tremendous and fascinating progress.…
In the 21st century, our world is facing difficult conditions for serious environmental pollution and the problem of energy shortage. An innovative idea has emerged to recycle wind energy from air conditioning condenser fans in outdoor…
In natural light harvesting systems, the sequential quantum events of photon absorption by specialized biological antenna complexes, charge separation, exciton formation and energy transfer to localized reaction centers culminates in the…
Nanophotonics, an interdisciplinary field merging nanotechnology and photonics, has enabled transformative advancements across diverse sectors including green energy, biomedicine, and optical computing. This review comprehensively examines…
The energy absorption on nanometer scale is vital for many bio and chemical systems. We report here that a two times amplification in absorption efficiency can be achieved by water molecules confined in carbon nanotubes with small radius,…
Despite many decades of research, economically grounded models that analyse energy consumption and energy-efficiency adoption within a unified framework remain underdeveloped. This article addresses this gap by proposing a model of…
Decoherence is mostly detrimental in quantum information and quantum optics applications. However, the interplay between environment-induced incoherent dynamics and unitary evolution can give rise to novel quantum many-body phenomena that…
Using thermal infrared detectors mounted on drones, and applying techniques from astrophysics, we hope to support the field of conservation ecology by creating an automated pipeline for the detection and identification of certain endangered…