| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20090015906 | EXTRINSIC GAIN LASER AND OPTICAL AMPLIFICATION DEVICE - An optical amplifier on a silicon platform includes a first doped device layer and a second doped device layer. A gain medium is positioned between the first and second doped device layers. The gain medium comprises extrinsic gain materials so as to substantially confine in the gain medium a light signal and allow the optical amplifier to be electrically or optically pumped. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090321881 | EPITAXIAL LIFT OFF STACK HAVING A PRE-CURVED HANDLE AND METHODS THEREOF - Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a flattened, pre-curved support handle onto the epitaxial material, and removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process. The etching process includes bending the pre-curved support handle to have substantial curvature while peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate and forming an etch crevice therebetween. Compression is maintained within the epitaxial material during the etching process. The flattened, pre-curved support handle may be formed by flattening a pre-curved support material. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090321885 | EPITAXIAL LIFT OFF STACK HAVING A UNIVERSALLY SHRUNK HANDLE AND METHODS THEREOF - Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a universally shrinkable support handle onto the epitaxial material, wherein the universally shrinkable support handle contains a shrinkable material, and shrinking the support handle to form tension in the support handle and compression in the epitaxial material during a shrinking process. The method further includes removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process, peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate while forming an etch crevice therebetween, and bending the support handle to have substantial curvature. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090324379 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR A CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION REACTOR - Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a levitating substrate carrier or support. In one embodiment, a substrate carrier for supporting and carrying at least one substrate or wafer is provided which includes a substrate carrier body containing an upper surface and a lower surface, and at least one indentation pocket disposed within the lower surface. In another embodiment, the substrate carrier includes at least open indentation area within the upper surface, and at least two indentation pockets disposed within the lower surface. Each indentation pocket may be rectangular and have four side walls extending substantially perpendicular to the lower surface. In another embodiment, a method for levitating substrates disposed on a substrate carrier is provided which includes exposing the lower surface of a substrate carrier to a gas stream, forming a gas cushion under the substrate carrier, levitating the substrate carrier within a processing chamber, and moving the substrate carrier along a path within the processing chamber. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20090325367 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR A CHEMICAL VAPOR DEPOSITION REACTOR - Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a chemical vapor deposition system and related method of use. In one embodiment, the system includes a reactor lid assembly having a body, a track assembly having a body and a guide path located along the body, and a heating assembly operable to heat the substrate as the substrate moves along the guide path. The body of the lid assembly and the body of the track assembly are coupled together to form a gap that is configured to receive a substrate. In another embodiment, a method of forming layers on a substrate using the chemical vapor deposition system includes introducing the substrate into a guide path, depositing a first layer on the substrate and depositing a second layer on the substrate, while the substrate moves along the guide path; and preventing mixing of gases between the first deposition step and the second deposition step. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100091358 | EXTRINSIC GAIN LASER AND OPTICAL AMPLIFICATION DEVICE - An optical amplifier on a silicon platform includes a first doped device layer and a second doped device layer. A gain medium is positioned between the first and second doped device layers. The gain medium comprises extrinsic gain materials so as to substantially confine in the gain medium a light signal and allow the optical amplifier to be electrically or optically pumped. | 04-15-2010 |
| 20100126552 | INTEGRATION OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE - Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) unit may have all electrical contacts positioned on the back side of the PV device to avoid shadowing and increase absorption of the photons impinging on the front side of the PV unit. Several PV units may be combined into PV banks, and an array of PV banks may be connected to form a PV module with thin strips of metal or conductive polymer formed at low temperature. Such innovations may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100126570 | THIN ABSORBER LAYER OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE - Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. In one embodiment of a photovoltaic (PV) device, the PV device generally includes an n-doped layer and a p | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100126571 | PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE WITH INCREASED LIGHT TRAPPING - Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) device may incorporate front side and/or back side light trapping techniques in an effort to absorb as many of the photons incident on the front side of the PV device as possible in the absorber layer. The light trapping techniques may include a front side antireflective coating, multiple window layers, roughening or texturing on the front and/or the back sides, a back side diffuser for scattering the light, and/or a back side reflector for redirecting the light into the interior of the PV device. With such light trapping techniques, more light may be absorbed by the absorber layer for a given amount of incident light, thereby increasing the efficiency of the PV device. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100126572 | PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE WITH BACK SIDE CONTACTS - Methods and apparatus for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells are provided. A photovoltaic (PV) device generally includes a window layer; an absorber layer disposed below the window layer such that electrons are generated when photons travel through the window layer and are absorbed by the absorber layer; and a plurality of contacts for external connection coupled to the absorber layer, such that all of the contacts for external connection are disposed below the absorber layer and do not block any of the photons from reaching the absorber layer through the window layer. Locating all the contacts on the back side of the PV device avoids solar shadows caused by front side contacts, typically found in conventional solar cells. Therefore, PV devices described herein with back side contacts may allow for increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100132780 | PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE - Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) unit, according to embodiments of the invention, may have a very thin absorber layer produced by epitaxial lift-off (ELO), all electrical contacts positioned on the back side of the PV device to avoid shadowing, and/or front side and back side light trapping employing a diffuser and a reflector to increase absorption of the photons impinging on the front side of the PV unit. Several PV units may be combined into PV banks, and an array of PV banks may be connected to form a PV module with thin strips of metal or conductive polymer applied at low temperature. Such innovations may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells. | 06-03-2010 |
| 20110041904 | THIN ABSORBER LAYER OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE - Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. In one embodiment of a photovoltaic (PV) device, the PV device generally includes an n-doped layer and a p | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110048519 | PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE WITH INCREASED LIGHT TRAPPING - Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) device may incorporate front side and/or back side light trapping techniques in an effort to absorb as many of the photons incident on the front side of the PV device as possible in the absorber layer. The light trapping techniques may include a front side antireflective coating, multiple window layers, roughening or texturing on the front and/or the back sides, a back side diffuser for scattering the light, and/or a back side reflector for redirecting the light into the interior of the PV device. With such light trapping techniques, more light may be absorbed by the absorber layer for a given amount of incident light, thereby increasing the efficiency of the PV device. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110048532 | PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE - Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) unit, according to embodiments of the invention, may have a very thin absorber layer produced by epitaxial lift-off (ELO), all electrical contacts positioned on the back side of the PV device to avoid shadowing, and/or front side and back side light trapping employing a diffuser and a reflector to increase absorption of the photons impinging on the front side of the PV unit. Several PV units may be combined into PV banks, and an array of PV banks may be connected to form a PV module with thin strips of metal or conductive polymer applied at low temperature. Such innovations may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110056546 | THIN ABSORBER LAYER OF A PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE - Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. In one embodiment of a photovoltaic (PV) device, the PV device generally includes an n-doped layer and a p | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110056553 | PHOTOVOLTAIC DEVICE - Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) unit, according to embodiments of the invention, may have a very thin absorber layer produced by epitaxial lift-off (ELO), all electrical contacts positioned on the back side of the PV device to avoid shadowing, and/or front side and back side light trapping employing a diffuser and a reflector to increase absorption of the photons impinging on the front side of the PV unit. Several PV units may be combined into PV banks, and an array of PV banks may be connected to form a PV module with thin strips of metal or conductive polymer applied at low temperature. Such innovations may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20110083722 | TEXTURED METALLIC BACK REFLECTOR - Embodiments of the invention generally relate to device fabrication of thin films used as solar devices or other electronic devices, and include textured back reflectors utilized in solar applications. In one embodiment, a method for forming a textured metallic back reflector which includes depositing a metallic layer on a gallium arsenide material within a thin film stack, forming an array of metallic islands from the metallic layer during an annealing process, removing or etching material from the gallium arsenide material to form apertures between the metallic islands, and depositing a metallic reflector layer to fill the apertures and cover the metallic islands. In another embodiment, a textured metallic back reflector includes an array of metallic islands disposed on a gallium arsenide material, a plurality of apertures disposed between the metallic islands and extending into the gallium arsenide material, a metallic reflector layer disposed over the metallic islands, and a plurality of reflector protrusions formed between the metallic islands and extending from the metallic reflector layer and into the apertures formed in the gallium arsenide material. | 04-14-2011 |
