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New materials that can increase the efficiency of photovoltaic cells
In recent reports, U.S. media highlighted that crystals play a key role in the ice-blue light emitted by car headlights and could revolutionize future solar energy technology. According to the Daily Science website, on October 25, it was noted that crystals are central to diode development. However, these are not natural crystals like those found in quartz, but rather synthetic crystal materials used to create alloys, such as indium gallium nitride (InGaN). These alloys form light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and laser diodes, particularly in the blue and ultraviolet spectrum.
Alex Fisher, a researcher from Arizona State University’s Department of Physics under the leadership of Dr. Fernando Pons, is working on improving crystalline materials. His focus is on enhancing crystallinity, light emission efficiency, and brightness. Recently, his team published a paper in *Applied Physics Communications*, detailing a new method for producing InGaN crystals. This technique has the potential to significantly boost the efficiency of photovoltaic solar cells. The research was conducted in collaboration with Professor Alan Doolittle's team at Georgia Tech.
The study revealed that InGaN crystals are grown in layered structures on sapphire substrates. However, researchers observed variations in atomic spacing within these layers, which can lead to high internal pressure, growth interruptions, and uneven chemical composition.
Dr. Pons explained that reducing this pressure and achieving more uniform crystal formation would be highly beneficial, though challenging. He compared the process to trying to fit honeycombs of different sizes together without disrupting their structure. “It’s like trying to combine two honeycombs of different sizes,†he said. “If they don’t match perfectly, the arrangement gets disrupted.â€
The new method developed by Doolittle, known as “modulation-oriented epitaxy,†uses molecular pulses to achieve the desired alloy composition. This technique allows for precise, atomic-level growth of crystalline materials. Fisher and Wei Yong analyzed the atomic structure and luminescence at the nanoscale, finding that films produced using this method exhibit nearly ideal properties. They attributed this success to reduced pressure during the first atomic layer's growth.
Pons added, “Doolittle’s team created a more uniform crystal lattice that aligns well in the final product. The result is a film that closely resembles a perfect crystal, with luminance also approaching perfection. This was once thought impossible in our field.â€
Eliminating composition inhomogeneities and lattice mismatches—long considered major obstacles—could lead to significant improvements in LED and solar cell efficiency. Researchers believe this breakthrough could pave the way for next-generation lighting and energy technologies.