Wavelength conversion photovoltaics
US8759666B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 19, 2009 |
| Grant date | Jun 24, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 11, 2030 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02T50/50
- WIPO fieldTransport
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus includes a photovoltaic device (PVD) having a quantum dot (QD) array structure that is capable of performing wavelength conversion. The PVD is configured to generate charge carriers from incident photons. An electric field generator is operable to apply an electric field to the PVD. Strength of the electric field is sufficient to cause the charge carriers to transition through a plurality of discrete energy states formed within a corresponding one of a conductive band and a valence band of the QD array structure. The transition of the charge carriers through the plurality of discrete energy states enables the PVD to generate emitted photons being radiated as an electromagnetic wave. A frequency (and hence wavelength) of the emitted photons being radiated as the electromagnetic wave is tunable by configuring physical attributes of the QD array structure and controlling the electric field strength.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.