Optoelectronic interfaces

About

Background: Stanford researchers at the Cui Lab have designed a self-aligned hybrid metal-dielectric surface that offers unparalleled performance in applications where both a transparent contact and a photon management texture are needed. Current applications include the front surface of solar cells, photodetectors, camera sensors, and LEDs.  The team has developed a prototype of silicon nanopillars protruding through a patterned gold film. Despite high metal coverage (> 60%), this design had extremely high absorption (>97%) and low sheet resistance of 16 Ohm/sq. This design can be easily implemented in multiple metal-semiconductor systems using a simple one-step fabrication process. Video -"Invisible wires' could boost solar-cell efficiency"  Stanford News, November 25, 2015 "Stanford engineers develop 'invisible wires' that could improve solar cell efficiency"   Stage of Research:  Continued research on optimizing and scaling up, developing new catalysts and chemistries, and optimizing optical and electrical properties for different applications.   Applications: Any front surface where photon management is required such as at the front surface of solar cells, photodetectors, camera sensors, LEDs, and other optoelectronic devices   Advantages: Optimized hybrid optoelectronic interface for maximum performance - combines a photon management structure and transparent electrode in one design Versatile – can be used for any surface Low sheet resistance - significantly lower sheet resistance values than any technology currently available Very efficient - up to 97% absorption across 400-900nm light Easy to implement Simple, one-step fabrication process based on metal-assisted chemical etching (MACE) Many different metal and materials stacks possible Silver, gold, copper, aluminum, platinum, palladium, rhodium Si, GaAs, InP explored thus far