Quantitative first-principles theory of interface absorption in multilayer heterostructures

Abstract

The unique chemical bonds and electronic states of interfaces result in optical properties that are different from those of the constituting bulk materials. In the nanoscale regime, the interface effects can be dominant and impact the optical response of devices. Using density functional theory (DFT), the interface effects can be calculated, but DFT is computationally limited to small systems. We describe a method to combine DFT with macroscopic methodologies to extract the interface effect on absorption in a consistent and quantifiable manner. The extracted interface effects are an independent parameter and can be applied to more complicated systems. We demonstrate, using NiSi2/Si heterostructures, that by varying the relative volume fractions of interface and bulk, we can tune the spectral range of the heterostructure absorption.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Aug 31, 2015
Source ID
10.1063/1.4930069

Entities

People

  • Jordan A Hachtel
  • Ritesh Sachan
  • Rohan Mishra
  • Sokrates T. Pantelides

Organizations

  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  • National Science Foundation
  • Oak Ridge National Laboratory
  • Vanderbilt University
  • Washington University in St. Louis

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Computational Modeling and Simulation
  • Quantum Chemistry
  • Thin Film Deposition Science.

Technology Areas

  • Microelectronics
  • Microelectronics - Graphene