InN-Based Quantum Dot Solar Cells, Phase II

The goal of this STTR program is to employ nanostructured materials in an advanced device design to enhance the tolerance of solar cells to extreme environments while maintaining high solar electric power conversion efficiency. By using InN-based quantum dots embedded within a higher band gap GaN barrier material, a larger fraction of the solar spectrum can be harnessed while minimizing the effects of high temperatures and high-energy radiation with this promising photovoltaic device. The wide range of energies accessible to InN-based materials provides unique flexibility in designing quantum dot solar cell structures. Phase I work demonstrated the feasibility of synthesizing device quality InN-based quantum dots. InN quantum dot assemblies were grown on GaN templates via metalorganic chemical vapor deposition and exhibited well defined x-ray diffraction peaks with dot densities up to 1E10 cm-2. More importantly, strong room temperature photoluminescence has been observed, with peak emission energies ranging from the infrared to the ultraviolet. These promising optical properties suggest it will be possible to build structures incorporating InN quantum dots within a GaN p-n junction to test the basic concepts of quantum dot solar cells during the Phase II effort. The principal Phase II objective is to develop an InN-based quantum dot solar cell capable of high performance in near-sun and extreme radiation environments. Ultimately our approach provides a pathway for realizing solar cells with over 2,000 W/kg of specific power and power conversion efficiency approaching 60%.

This is a mature technology (TRL 7+) — the realistic path in is usually NASA's Technology Transfer Program: licensing an existing NASA patent, or a Space Act Agreement to use NASA facilities/expertise directly. NASA also runs a startup licensing program with no upfront fee for companies formed to commercialize a specific NASA technology.

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