Abstract: Luminescent materials and methods of forming such materials are described herein. A method of forming a luminescent material includes: (1) providing a source of A and X, wherein A is selected from at least one of elements of Group 1, and X is selected from at least one of elements of Group 17; (2) providing a source of B, wherein B is selected from at least one of elements of Group 14; (3) subjecting the source of A and X and the source of B to vacuum deposition to form a precursor layer over a substrate; (4) forming an encapsulation layer over the precursor layer to form an assembly of layers; and (5) heating the assembly of layers to a temperature Theat to form a luminescent material within the precursor layer.

Abstract: Described herein are solar modules including spectral concentrators and related manufacturing methods.

Abstract: An electro-optical device includes: (1) a first electrode layer; (2) a second electrode layer; and (3) a middle layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The middle layer includes a material having the formula: [AaBbXxX?x?X?x?], where A is selected from potassium, rubidium, and cesium; B is selected from germanium, tin, and lead; X, X?, and X? are independently selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine; a is in the range of 1 to 9; b is in the range of 1 to 5; a sum of x, x?, and x? is in the range of 1 to 9; and the material is at least one of n-doped and p-doped.

Abstract: An electro-optical device includes: (1) a first electrode layer; (2) a second electrode layer; and (3) a middle layer disposed between the first electrode layer and the second electrode layer. The middle layer includes a material having the formula: [AaBbXxX?x?X?x?], where A is selected from potassium, rubidium, and cesium; B is selected from germanium, tin, and lead; X, X?, and X? are independently selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine; a is in the range of 1 to 9; b is in the range of 1 to 5; a sum of x, x?, and x? is in the range of 1 to 9; and the material is at least one of n-doped and p-doped.

Abstract: Described herein are solar modules including spectral concentrators. In one embodiment, a solar module includes a set of photovoltaic cells and a spectral concentrator optically coupled to the set of photovoltaic cells. The spectral concentrator is configured to: (1) collect incident solar radiation; (2) convert the incident solar radiation into substantially monochromatic, emitted radiation; and (3) convey the substantially monochromatic, emitted radiation to the set of photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: Luminescent materials and the use of such materials in anti-counterfeiting, inventory, photovoltaic, and other applications are described herein. In one embodiment, a method of forming a luminescent material includes: (1) providing a source of A and X, wherein A is selected from at least one of elements of Group 1, and X is selected from at least one of elements of Group 17; (2) providing a source of B, wherein B is selected from at least one of elements of Group 14; (3) subjecting the source of A and X and the source of B to vacuum deposition to form a set of films adjacent to a substrate; and (4) heating the set of films to a temperature in the range of 120° C. to 350° C. to form a luminescent material adjacent to the substrate, wherein the luminescent material includes A, B, and X.

Abstract: Luminescent materials and methods of forming such materials are described herein. A method of forming a luminescent material includes: (1) providing a source of A and X, wherein A is selected from at least one of elements of Group 1, and X is selected from at least one of elements of Group 17; (2) providing a source of B, wherein B is selected from at least one of elements of Group 14; (3) subjecting the source of A and X and the source of B to vacuum deposition to form a precursor layer over a substrate; (4) forming an encapsulation layer over the precursor layer to form an assembly of layers; and (5) heating the assembly of layers to a temperature Theat to form a luminescent material within the precursor layer.

Abstract: Described herein are optical devices including resonant cavity structures. In one embodiment, an optical fiber includes: (1) an elongated core including an outer surface; (2) an inner reflector disposed adjacent to the outer surface of the core and extending substantially along a length of the core; (3) an outer reflector spaced apart from the inner reflector and extending substantially along the length of the core; and (4) an emission layer disposed between the outer reflector and the inner reflector and extending substantially along the length of the core, the emission layer configured to emit radiation that is guided within the optical fiber.

Abstract: Luminescent materials and methods of forming such materials are described herein. In one embodiment, a luminescent material has the formula: [AaSnbXxX?x?X?x?], where the luminescent material is polycrystalline; A is included in the luminescent material as a monovalent cation; X, X?, and X? are selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine; a is in the range of 1 to 5; b is in the range of 1 to 3; a sum of x, x?, and x? is in the range of 1 to 5; and at least X? is iodine, such that x?/(x+x?+x?)??.

Abstract: Described herein are solar modules including spectral concentrators. In one embodiment, a solar module includes an active layer including a set of photovoltaic cells. The solar module also includes a spectral concentrator optically coupled to the active layer and including a luminescent material that exhibits photoluminescence in response to incident solar radiation. The photoluminescence has: (a) a quantum efficiency of at least 30 percent; (b) a spectral width no greater than 100 nm at Full Width at Half Maximum; and (c) a peak emission wavelength in the near infrared range.