Sn-Containing Group-IV Semiconductors for Energy Applications in Photovoltaics and Thermoelectricity

该奖项是根据《2009年美国复苏和再投资法案》(公法111-5)资助的。技术上的。这一重点研究组(FRG)项目探索了掺有锡的第四族(Si，Ge)半导体材料的能源应用。锡与硅和锗的结合可能在光伏和热电方面具有有利的机会，具有理想的结构和电子性能。针对特定目的，计划对Si-Ge-Sn系统进行基础研究：a)设计具有完全优化带隙的多结太阳能电池；b)探索用于中波段光伏的Si-Ge-Sn系统的潜力；c)设计具有显著提高的碰撞电离率的材料；d)制造具有超低热导率的结构；以及e)工程上增强的Seebeck系数。正在探索的组成空间的大小，结合特定组成的可能的纳米结构安排，受益于多学科的FRG方法。理论模拟将被用来确定最有希望的结构，这些结构将通过引入新的前体和根据需要进行修饰的CVD方法来合成。将采用电学和非接触式光学表征方法。非技术性。该项目涉及与能源有关的电子/光子材料科学专题领域的基础研究问题。此外，该项目还将包括几项教育/外联工作：(I)为高中生主办一个名为“半导体与社会”的地区讲习班，以(I)研究学生对科学和工程创新如何影响依赖半导体的高科技产品的看法；(Ii)阐明智力创新如何影响未来的制造技术，以保持半导体行业作为亚利桑那州主要高科技产业的地位；(Iii)提高学生对科学和工程的兴趣，鼓励他们追求相关技术领域的高级教育。此外，亚利桑那州立大学将开发新的材料和固态化学课程，集成模拟和实验组件。这些将包括在一个新设立的“纳米科学科学硕士”项目的本科课程中。还将开发教学单元和讲习班材料，并通过该项目的网页进行传播。

0907600Menendez "This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5)." Technical. This Focused Research Group (FRG) project explores energy applications of group-IV (Si, Ge) semiconductor materials incorporating Sn. The combination of Sn with Si and Ge may allow desirable structural and electronic properties with advantageous opportunities in photovoltaics and thermoelectricity. Fundamental studies of the Si-Ge-Sn system are planned for the specific purposes: a) designing multijunction solar cells with fully optimized band gaps; b) exploring the potential of the Si-Ge-Sn system for intermediate band photovoltaics; c) designing materials with dramatically enhanced impact ionization rates; d) fabricating structures with ultra-low thermal conductivities; and e) engineering enhanced Seebeck coefficients. The size of the compositional space being explored, combined with possible nanostructural arrangements for a given composition, benefit from a multidisciplinary FRG approach. Theoretical simulations will be used to identify the most promising structures which will be synthesized using CVD methods introducing new precursors and modifications as required. Electrical and contactless optical characterization methods will be employed. Non-Technical. The project addresses fundamental research issues in a topical area of electronic/photonic materials science having energy related technological relevance. Additionally, the project will include several education/outreach efforts: hosting a regional workshop "Semiconductors and Society" for high school pre-seniors to (i) research student perceptions of how science and engineering innovations impact high-tech products relying on semiconductors (ii) elucidate how intellectual innovations can impact future manufacturing technologies to preserve the semiconductor sector as the major high-technology industry in Arizona and (iii) increase student interest in science and engineering and encourage the pursuit of advanced education in related technical fields. Also, new courses in materials and solid-state chemistry will be developed at ASU with integrated simulation and experimental components. These will be included in the undergraduate curriculum of a newly established "Science Master's in Nanoscience" program. Teaching modules and workshop materials will also be developed and disseminated through the project's web page.