Osram Opto Semiconductors Gmbh

Pacific Light Technologies Corp.

Oun-Ho Park

Juanita N Kurtin

Georgeta Masson

Steven M Hughes

Brian Theobald

Matthew J Carillo

Alex C Mayer

Paul-Emile B Trudeau

Colin C Reese

Manav Sheoran

Alex R Guichard

Shawn R Scully

Colin Reese

Semiconductor structures having a nanocrystalline core and corresponding nanocrystalline shell and insulator coating, wherein the semiconductor structure includes an anisotropic nanocrystalline core composed of a first semiconductor material, and an anisotropic nanocrystalline shell composed of a second, different, semiconductor material surrounding the anisotropic nanocrystalline core. The anisotropic nanocrystalline core and the anisotropic nanocrystalline shell form a quantum dot. An insulator layer encapsulates the nanocrystalline shell and anisotropic nanocrystalline core.

Method for forming a composite having semiconductor structures including a nanocrystalline core and shell embedded in a matrix

The light conversion efficiency of a solar cell is enhanced by using an optical downshifting layer in cooperation with a photovoltaic material. The optical downshifting layer converts photons having wavelengths in a supplemental light absorption spectrum into photons having a wavelength in the primary light absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic materiaL The cost effectiveness and efficiency of solar cells platforms can be increased by relaxing the range of the primary light absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic materiaL The optical downshifting layer can be applied as a low cost solution processed film composed of highly absorbing and emissive quantum dot heterostructure nanomaterial embedded in an inert matrix to improve the short wavelength response to the photovoltaic materiaL The enhanced efficiency provided by the optical downshifting layer permits advantageous modifications to the solar cell platform that enhances its efficiency as well.

Optical downshifting layer

A solar concentrator module () employs a luminescent concentrator material () between photovoltaic cells () having their charge-carrier separation junctions () parallel to front surfaces () of photovoltaic materialof the photovoltaic cells (). Intercell areas () covered by the luminescent concentrator material () occupy from 2 to 50% of the total surface area of the solar concentrator modules (). The luminescent concentrator material () preferably employs quantum dot heterostructures, and the photovoltaic cells () preferably employ low-cost high-efficiency photovoltaic materials (), such as silicon-based photovoltaic materials.

Quantum dot and luminescent material made therefrom

Composite having semiconductor structures including a nanocrystalline core and shell

Composites having semiconductor structures embedded in a matrix are described. In an example, a composite includes a matrix material. A plurality of semiconductor structures is embedded in the matrix material. Each semiconductor structure includes an anisotropic nanocrystalline core composed of a first semiconductor material. Each semiconductor structure also includes a nanocrystalline shell composed of a second, different, semiconductor material at least partially surrounding the anisotropic nanocrystalline core. An insulator layer encapsulates each nanocrystalline shell and anisotropic nanocrystalline core pairing.

Composite having semiconductor structure including a nanocrystalline core and shell embedded in a matrix

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San Jose, CA, United States of America

Oun-Ho Park