SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR A DEVICE INCLUDING A DYNAMIC OPTICAL RESONANT CAVITY AND AN ACTIVE LAYER
This disclosure provides systems, methods and apparatus for embodiments of a device including a dynamic optical resonant cavity and an active layer disposed on a side of the optical resonant cavity. In various embodiments, a thickness of the optical resonant cavity can be dynamically changed to alter the absorption characteristics of the active layer. In various embodiments, a reflector can be disposed on a side of the optical resonant cavity opposite the side on which the active layer is disposed. In various embodiments, the reflector can be movable.
1 . A device comprising:
an active layer configured to produce an electrical signal as a result of light absorbed by said active layer;
a reflector layer disposed to reflect light transmitted through said active layer; and
a dynamic optical resonance cavity disposed between said active layer and said reflector layer.
2 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said active layer includes semiconductor.
3 . The device of claim 2 , wherein the active layer includes a PN junction or a PIN junction.
4 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the reflector layer has a reflectivity greater than 80%.
5 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said reflector layer includes metal.
6 . The device of claim 5 , wherein the reflector layer includes a metal selected from a group consisting of aluminum, molybdenum, silver and gold.
7 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said reflector layer is partially reflective such that said device is partially optically transmissive for some visible wavelengths.
8 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said reflector layer is partially reflective such that said device is partially optically transmissive for some infrared or ultraviolet wavelengths.
9 . The device of claim 1 , further comprising an antireflective layer disposed over the active layer.
10 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said optical resonance cavity includes multiple layers.
11 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said optical resonance cavity includes an air gap.
12 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said optical resonance cavity includes a dielectric material.
13 . The device of claim 1 , wherein the reflector layer is movable toward or away from the active layer.
14 . The device of claim 1 , wherein a thickness of the optical resonance cavity can be dynamically adjusted to alter absorption characteristics of the active layer.
15 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said optical resonance cavity has a thickness less than about 5000 nm.
16 . The device of claim 1 , wherein said optical resonance cavity includes one or more posts.
17 . A method of manufacturing a device, the method comprising:
providing an active layer configured to produce an electrical signal as a result of light absorbed by said active layer;
disposing a reflector layer to reflect light transmitted through said active layer; and
disposing a dynamic optical resonance cavity between said active layer and said reflector layer.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the reflector layer is movable toward or away from the active layer.
19 . The method of claim 17 , wherein a thickness of the optical resonance cavity can be dynamically adjusted to alter absorption characteristics of the active layer.
20 . A device comprising:
means for absorbing light, said light absorbing means configured to produce an electrical signal as a result of light absorbed by the light absorbing means;
means for reflecting light disposed to reflect light transmitted through said at least one light absorbing means; and
means for producing optical resonance disposed between said light absorbing means and said light reflecting means, a thickness of the optical resonance producing means being dynamically adjustable.
21 . The device of claim 20 , wherein said light absorbing means includes an active layer.
22 . The device of claim 20 , wherein said reflecting means includes a reflector layer.
23 . The device of claim 20 , wherein said optical resonance producing means includes at least one dynamic optical resonance cavity.