摘要:
An optical amplifier on a silicon platform includes a first doped device layer and a second doped device layer. A gain medium is positioned between the first and second doped device layers. The gain medium comprises extrinsic gain materials so as to substantially confine in the gain medium a light signal and allow the optical amplifier to be electrically or optically pumped.
摘要:
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a universally shrinkable support handle onto the epitaxial material, wherein the universally shrinkable support handle contains a shrinkable material, and shrinking the support handle to form tension in the support handle and compression in the epitaxial material during a shrinking process. The method further includes removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process, peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate while forming an etch crevice therebetween, and bending the support handle to have substantial curvature.
摘要:
Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) unit, according to embodiments of the invention, may have a very thin absorber layer produced by epitaxial lift-off (ELO), all electrical contacts positioned on the back side of the PV device to avoid shadowing, and/or front side and back side light trapping employing a diffuser and a reflector to increase absorption of the photons impinging on the front side of the PV unit. Several PV units may be combined into PV banks, and an array of PV banks may be connected to form a PV module with thin strips of metal or conductive polymer applied at low temperature. Such innovations may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells.
摘要:
Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) unit may have all electrical contacts positioned on the back side of the PV device to avoid shadowing and increase absorption of the photons impinging on the front side of the PV unit. Several PV units may be combined into PV banks, and an array of PV banks may be connected to form a PV module with thin strips of metal or conductive polymer formed at low temperature. Such innovations may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells.
摘要:
An optical amplifier on a silicon platform includes a first doped device layer and a second doped device layer. A gain medium is positioned between the first and second doped device layers. The gain medium comprises extrinsic gain materials so as to substantially confine in the gain medium a light signal and allow the optical amplifier to be electrically or optically pumped.
摘要:
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a flattened, pre-curved support handle onto the epitaxial material, and removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process. The etching process includes bending the pre-curved support handle to have substantial curvature while peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate and forming an etch crevice therebetween. Compression is maintained within the epitaxial material during the etching process. The flattened, pre-curved support handle may be formed by flattening a pre-curved support material.
摘要:
A surface plasmon polariton photovoltaic absorber. A plasmonic photovoltaic device is provided that has a periodic subwavelength aperture array, for example a thin metal film coated with an array of semiconductor quantum dots. The plasmonic photovoltaic device generates an electrical potential when illuminated by electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, the absorber can contain both quantum dots of semiconductors and metal nanoparticles.
摘要:
Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a flattened, pre-curved support handle onto the epitaxial material, and removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process. The etching process includes bending the pre-curved support handle to have substantial curvature while peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate and forming an etch crevice therebetween. Compression is maintained within the epitaxial material during the etching process. The flattened, pre-curved support handle may be formed by flattening a pre-curved support material.
摘要:
Methods and apparatus for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells are provided. A photovoltaic (PV) device generally includes a window layer; an absorber layer disposed below the window layer such that electrons are generated when photons travel through the window layer and are absorbed by the absorber layer; and a plurality of contacts for external connection coupled to the absorber layer, such that all of the contacts for external connection are disposed below the absorber layer and do not block any of the photons from reaching the absorber layer through the window layer. Locating all the contacts on the back side of the PV device avoids solar shadows caused by front side contacts, typically found in conventional solar cells. Therefore, PV devices described herein with back side contacts may allow for increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells.
摘要:
Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) unit, according to embodiments of the invention, may have a very thin absorber layer produced by epitaxial lift-off (ELO), all electrical contacts positioned on the back side of the PV device to avoid shadowing, and/or front side and back side light trapping employing a diffuser and a reflector to increase absorption of the photons impinging on the front side of the PV unit. Several PV units may be combined into PV banks, and an array of PV banks may be connected to form a PV module with thin strips of metal or conductive polymer applied at low temperature. Such innovations may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells.