Photovoltaic cells comprising a layer of crystalline non-centrosymmetric light-absorbing material and a plurality of electrodes to collect ballistic carriers
US10903378B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 30, 2018 |
| Grant date | Jan 26, 2021 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 1, 2038 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E10/549
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention is directed to photovoltaic and photogalvanic devices and methods of generating electrical energy and power or detecting light therefrom, based on a novel nano-enhanced bulk photovoltaic effect using non-centrosymmetric crystals, including ferroelectric and piezoelectric materials, where the non-centrosymmetry is the equilibrium state or it is static or dynamically induced. In certain embodiments, the device comprises a layer of non-centrosymmetric crystalline materials, and a plurality of electrodes disposed in an array upon or penetrating into at least one surface of the crystalline material, the electrodes being optimally spaced to capture the ballistic carriers generated upon irradiation of the crystalline material.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.