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

0907600Menendez“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。该重点研究小组（FRG）项目探索含锡的第四族（Si, Ge）半导体材料的能源应用。锡与硅和锗的结合可以使其具有理想的结构和电子性能，在光伏和热电方面具有有利的机会。Si-Ge-Sn体系的基础研究计划有以下具体目的：a)设计具有完全优化带隙的多结太阳能电池；b)探索Si-Ge-Sn体系在中间波段光伏发电中的潜力；C)设计具有显著提高冲击电离率的材料；D)制造具有超低导热系数的结构；e)工程增强塞贝克系数。正在探索的组合物空间的大小，结合给定组合物可能的纳米结构安排，受益于多学科的FRG方法。理论模拟将用于确定最有前途的结构，这些结构将使用CVD方法合成，并根据需要引入新的前体和修饰。将采用电和非接触光学表征方法。非技术。该项目涉及与能源相关技术相关的电子/光子材料科学主题领域的基础研究问题。此外，该项目将包括几项教育/外联工作：为高中前三年级学生举办“半导体与社会”区域研讨会，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，鼓励追求先进技术相关技术领域的教育。此外，材料和固态化学的新课程也将在亚利桑那州立大学开发，并整合模拟和实验组件。这些将包括在新成立的“纳米科学硕士”项目的本科课程中。教学单元和讲习班材料也将通过该项目的网页编制和传播。

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.