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New materials that can increase the efficiency of photovoltaic cells
In recent reports, U.S. media have highlighted the role of crystals in generating the icy blue light seen in modern car headlights, suggesting that these materials could also revolutionize future solar energy technologies. According to a story published on the Daily Science website on October 25, crystals are central to the functioning of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes. However, these are not natural crystals like those found in quartz but rather synthetic materials, such as indium gallium nitride (InGaN), which are engineered to form alloys used in advanced optoelectronic devices.
Alex Fisher, a researcher from the Department of Physics at Arizona State University and part of the Fernando Pons research team, is working on improving the quality of these crystalline materials. His focus is on enhancing crystallinity, light emission efficiency, and brightness. Dr. Wei Yong is also involved in this research. Their findings were recently published in the journal *Applied Physics Communications*, where they introduced a new method for growing InGaN crystal materials for use in diodes. This technique has the potential to significantly boost the efficiency of photovoltaic solar cells.
The research was conducted in collaboration with a team led by Professor Alan Doolittle from the Georgia Institute of Technology. The method involves using molecular pulses to achieve the desired alloy composition. Known as "modulation-oriented epitaxy," this approach allows for precise, atomic-level growth of crystalline layers.
According to the researchers, the InGaN crystals are typically grown on sapphire substrates, forming layered structures. However, inconsistencies in atomic spacing within these layers can lead to high stress, growth interruptions, and variations in the alloy’s chemical composition. Professor Pons described the challenge as similar to trying to fit honeycombs of different sizes together without disrupting their regular pattern.
Fisher and Wei Yong analyzed the atomic arrangement and luminescence properties at the nanoscale. Their results showed that films produced using the epitaxial technique exhibited nearly ideal characteristics. They attributed this improvement to reduced pressure during the formation of the first atomic layer.
Pons noted that Doolittle’s team achieved a more uniform crystal lattice, allowing for better alignment and creating a film that closely resembles a perfect crystal. The resulting luminance is also close to that of an ideal crystal, a breakthrough once thought unattainable in the field.
By eliminating compositional inhomogeneities and lattice mismatches—long considered major obstacles—this research paves the way for the development of highly efficient LEDs and solar photovoltaic systems in the future.