Plasmonic Up-Converter Nanofeature Arrays for Infrared Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional up-conversion materials are inefficient in converting infrared electromagnetic radiation to visible light, with many only achieving about 1.5% efficiency, necessitating the development of more effective techniques for applications in displays, projection TVs, and other technologies.
Innovation Solution
A plasmonic up-converter apparatus utilizing an array of nanofeatures, such as nanoparticles or nanoholes, is designed to produce an emission spectrum with intensities at second or third harmonic frequencies approximately equal to the fundamental harmonic frequency, enhancing the conversion of infrared radiation to visible or soft ultraviolet frequencies through Mie resonance and collective electronic oscillations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional up-conversion materials are used, then the device structure can be simple, but the conversion efficiency is very low (only about 1.5%)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameters of the up-conversion material by reducing its dimension to the nanoscale (nanoparticles, nanoshells, nanorods, nanowires) and arranging them in periodic arrays. This dimensional and structural parameter change enables plasmonic resonances and enhances the up-conversion efficiency from 1.5% to potentially much higher values, while maintaining relative structural simplicity through self-assembly or direct fabrication of periodic patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite structures combining metal nanoparticles (plasmonic materials) with dielectric matrices or other functional materials. These composite nanofeatures exhibit both plasmonic properties for field enhancement and up-conversion properties for frequency conversion, achieving high efficiency through the synergistic interaction of different materials at the nanoscale.
2Quantity of substance
If conventional up-conversion materials are used, then the material composition can be simple, but the conversion efficiency remains low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms simple material compositions into high-performance up-converters by changing their physical parameters: reducing size to nanoscale, creating periodic arrangements, and controlling aspect ratios. These parameter changes enable plasmonic resonances and field enhancements that dramatically improve conversion efficiency without requiring complex multi-component material systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from bulk or thin-film up-conversion materials to three-dimensional periodic arrays of nanofeatures with controlled geometries (spheres, shells, rods, wires). This dimensional change from 2D/3D bulk to structured 0D/1D nanofeatures enables exploitation of plasmonic resonances and size-dependent optical properties to enhance efficiency.
3Loss of energy
If higher conversion efficiency is achieved through nanofeature arrays, then the device complexity increases, but this resolves the low efficiency problem
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the up-conversion function into discrete nanofeatures (individual nanoparticles, nanoshells, etc.) arranged in periodic arrays. Each nanofeature acts as an independent unit with specific plasmonic and up-conversion properties, and their collective periodic arrangement creates additional photonic band structure effects. This segmentation enables precise control of optical response while maintaining modular simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent manages structural complexity by systematically varying key parameters (particle size, inter-particle spacing, array periodicity, aspect ratio) rather than creating arbitrarily complex structures. These controlled parameter changes allow tuning of plasmonic resonances and up-conversion efficiency through well-understood physical relationships, making the complex structures predictable and manufacturable.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The plasmonic up-converter apparatus achieves significant up-conversion efficiency, with approximately 40% to 50% of excitation radiation being converted to visible or soft ultraviolet frequencies, significantly improving upon conventional materials' efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
enhancing the conversion of infrared radiation to visible or soft ultraviolet frequencies through Mie resonance and collective electronic oscillations
Implementation Method 2
The emission spectrum has an intensity at a second harmonic frequency or a third harmonic frequency approximately equal to an intensity at a fundamental harmonic frequency
Implementation Method 3
The emission spectrum has an intensity at a second harmonic frequency or a third harmonic frequency approximately equal to an intensity at a fundamental harmonic frequency
Data Source
AI summary
As disclosed herein, a plasmonic up-converter apparatus includes an excitation source operable to emit electromagnetic radiation at an excitation frequency and at least one array of nanofeatures. The at least one array of nanofeatures is configured to produce an emission spectrum responsive to irradiation by the electromagnetic radiation. The emission spectrum has an intensity at a second harmonic frequency or a third harmonic frequency approximately equal to an intensity at a fundamental harmonic frequency, with the fundamental harmonic frequency being approximately equal to the excitation frequency. Additional aspects are directed to a display that utilizes any of the disclosed plasmonic up-converter apparatuses, a laser in which a laser medium is optically pumped using electromagnetic radiation produced by one of the disclosed plasmonic up-converter apparatuses, and methods of up-converting electromagnetic radiation.