Hybrid III-V optoelectronic devices nano-fabrication: application to concentrated photovoltaics

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In 2016 and for the next decade, there is a lot of potential for beyond 50% efficiency solar cells in order to further develop energy access to the people while reducing our strong dependence on fossil fuels and CO2 emissions. However, there is a vast difference between a laboratory record beyond high concentration CPV at 50% efficiencies and an equivalent achievement in the real word with a cost-effective and industrially compatible process. With this research program, we will work intensely on paving the road to 50% cell efficiencies while developing CPV device technologies inspired as much as possible from existing technological bricks available in other industrial sectors such as microelectronics for 3D integration and advanced low-cost packaging as well as know-how from the LED industry for very large volume production at very low cost for GaN based high bandgap energy materials. Thanks to 20 year expertise on optoelectronics devices, both III-V laser diodes, III-V on Germanium based CPV and GaN based optoelectronics, the originality of this program will be to develop device level concepts with a strong emphasis on the final product characteristics from the industrialization point of view as part of the Design of Experiments. This will involve hybrid integration of Germanium/III­-V heterostructures with GaN/InGaN devices and key hybrid integration/packaging and thermal management developments to open the way to the development of such architectures in the field, producing the most efficient solar Photovoltaics energy. Universite de Sherbrooke unique nanofabrication infrastructures and a very strong international collaborative network based on the CNRS international joint unit "Laboratoire Nanotechnologies Nanosystèmes (UMI-­3463 LN2)" will be essential for the success of this research program. This will also give us access to state of the art materials both Ge/III-V and GaN/InGaN that will be essential for this research program. The collaborative environment for this project blends a unique mix of excellence in research and industrial expertise and will open the way to record high efficiency systems with a cost-effective approach. Using the USherbrooke solar test site, we will also develop test vehicules dedicated to on-site testing with both off the shelve CPV cell technologies and hybrid devices to validate our designs. Finally, as part of this research program, the various innovations that will be developed over the next 5 years will of course benefit to the CPV sector but also impact the surrounding industrial sectors including LED lighting industry and microelectronics/optoelectronics future integrated circuits who will equip most high performance computers over the next decade, thus offering unique skillsets to highly qualified personal trained through this program and in turn provide talented resources for the benefit of the Canadian industry.