match-heads tagged posts

(Left) Silicon wires with match heads and (right) light absorption profile of a single match-head wire at 587 nm absorption. Credit: Image courtesy of the Center for Integrated Nanotechnologies

Crystal growth on a nano/microscale level produces “match-head”-like, 3D structures that enhance light absorption and photovoltaic efficiency. This is the first large structure grown on a nanowire tip and it creates a completely new architecture for harnessing energy. Match-head semiconductor nanowires focus incident light for greater overall efficiency. The match heads are naturally formed during the wire-growth process, which can be applied to various materials and structures for photonic and optoelectronic devices.

Enhanced light absorption and efficient, photogenerated carrier collection are...