Abstract: Methods for constructing multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) antenna arrays, may include: variable doping of the MWCNTs, forming light pipes with layers of variable dielectric glass, forming geometric diodes on full-wave rectified devices that propagate both electrons and holes, using clear conductive ground plans to form windows that can control a building's internal temperature, and generating multiple lithographic patterns with a single mask.

Abstract: A solar antenna array may comprise an array of carbon nanotube antennas that may capture and convert sunlight into electrical power. A method for constructing the solar antenna array from a glass top down to aluminum over a plastic bottom such that light passing through the glass top and/or reflected off the aluminum both may be captured by the antennas sandwiched between. Techniques for patterning the glass to further direct the light toward the antennas and techniques for continuous flow fabrication and testing are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to apparatuses and methods for producing epitaxial thin films and devices by epitaxial lift off (ELO) processes. In one embodiment, a method for forming thin film devices during an ELO process is provided which includes coupling a plurality of substrates to an elongated support tape, wherein each substrate contains an epitaxial film disposed over a sacrificial layer disposed over a wafer, exposing the substrates to an etchant during an etching process while moving the elongated support tape, and etching the sacrificial layers and peeling the epitaxial films from the wafers while moving the elongated support tape. Embodiments also include several apparatuses, continuous-type as well as a batch-type apparatuses, for forming the epitaxial thin films and devices, including an apparatus for removing the support tape and epitaxial films from the wafers on which the epitaxial films were grown.

Abstract: A showerhead for a semiconductor processing reactor formed by an array of showerhead tiles. Each showerhead tile has a plurality of process gas apertures, which may be in a central area of the tile or may extend over the entire tile. Each showerhead tile can be dimensioned for processing a respective substrate or a plurality of substrates or the array can be dimensioned for processing a substrate. An exhaust region surrounds the process gas apertures. The exhaust region has at least one exhaust aperture, and may include an exhaust slot, a plurality of connected exhaust slots or a plurality of exhaust apertures. The exhaust region surrounds the array of showerhead tiles, or a respective portion of the exhaust region surrounds the plurality of process gas apertures in each showerhead tile or group of showerhead tiles. A gas curtain aperture may be between the exhaust region and the process gas apertures of one of the showerhead tiles or adjacent to the central area of the tile.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device including at least one of a solar device, a semiconductor device, and an electronic device. The device includes a semiconductor unit. A plurality of metal fingers is disposed on a surface of the semiconductor unit for electrical conduction. Each of the metal fingers corresponds to a section of the optoelectronic device. A plurality of pad areas is available for connection to a bus bar, wherein each of the metal fingers is connected to a corresponding pad area for forming an electrical contact. The optoelectronic device includes a bad section, wherein the bad section is associated with a compromised metal finger and a compromised pad area. A dielectric spot coating is disposed above the compromised pad area to electrically isolate the bad section.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a flattened, pre-curved support handle onto the epitaxial material, and removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process. The etching process includes bending the pre-curved support handle to have substantial curvature while peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate and forming an etch crevice therebetween. Compression is maintained within the epitaxial material during the etching process. The flattened, pre-curved support handle may be formed by flattening a pre-curved support material.

Abstract: A thermal bridge connecting first and second processing zones and a method for transferring a work piece from a first to a second processing zone by way of the thermal bridge are disclosed. A work piece, transportable from the first to the second processing zone on or above the thermal bridge, is maintained at a temperature between the temperatures of the processing zones. The thermal bridge member features a thermally conductive transport member for the work piece supported over an infrared transmissive member that is insulative to heat conduction and convection. The bridge insulative member extends between the first and second processing zones or between reactors. An infrared radiation beam source emits infrared radiation which passes through the bridge insulative member to the transport member, heating the member. In an alternate embodiment, the transport member may be heated directly. A liner member may be mounted above the bridge member to retain heat.

Abstract: An optoelectronic device including at least one of a solar device, a semiconductor device, and an electronic device. The device includes a semiconductor unit. A plurality of metal fingers is disposed on a surface of the semiconductor unit for electrical conduction. Each of the metal fingers includes a pad area for forming an electrical contact. The optoelectronic device includes a plurality of pad areas that is available for connection to a bus bar, wherein each of the metal fingers is connected to a corresponding pad area for forming an electrical contact.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to apparatuses for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes. In one embodiment, a heating lamp assembly for a vapor deposition reactor system is provided which includes a lamp housing disposed on an upper surface of a support base and containing a first lamp holder and a second lamp holder and a plurality of lamps extending from the first lamp holder to the second lamp holder. The plurality of lamps may have split filament lamps and/or non-split filament lamps, and in some examples, split and non-split filament may be alternately disposed between the first and second lamp holders. A reflector may be disposed on the upper surface of the support base between the first and second lamp holders. The reflector may contain gold or a gold alloy.

Abstract: A showerhead for a semiconductor processing reactor formed by an array of showerhead tiles. Each showerhead tile has a plurality of process gas apertures, which may be in a central area of the tile or may extend over the entire tile. Each showerhead tile can be dimensioned for processing a respective substrate or a plurality of substrates or the array can be dimensioned for processing a substrate. An exhaust region surrounds the process gas apertures. The exhaust region has at least one exhaust aperture, and may include an exhaust slot, a plurality of connected exhaust slots or a plurality of exhaust apertures. The exhaust region surrounds the array of showerhead tiles, or a respective portion of the exhaust region surrounds the plurality of process gas apertures in each showerhead tile or group of showerhead tiles. A gas curtain aperture may be between the exhaust region and the process gas apertures of one of the showerhead tiles or adjacent to the central area of the tile.

Abstract: A showerhead for a semiconductor-processing reactor formed by an array of showerhead tiles. Each showerhead tile has a plurality of process gas apertures, which may be in a central area of the tile or may extend over the entire tile. Each showerhead tile can be dimensioned for processing a respective substrate or the array can be dimensioned for processing a substrate. An exhaust region surrounds the process gas apertures. The exhaust region has at least one exhaust aperture, and may include an exhaust slot, a plurality of connected exhaust slots or a plurality of exhaust apertures. The exhaust region surrounds the array of showerhead tiles, or a respective portion of the exhaust region surrounds the plurality of process gas apertures in each showerhead tile or group of showerhead tiles. A gas curtain aperture may be between the exhaust region and the process gas apertures of one of the showerhead tiles or adjacent to the central area of the tile.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to apparatuses for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes. In one embodiment, a wafer carrier track for levitating and traversing a wafer carrier within a vapor deposition reactor system is provided which includes upper and lower sections of a track assembly having a gas cavity formed therebetween. A guide path extends along an upper surface of the upper section and between two side surfaces which extend along and above the guide path and parallel to each other. A plurality of gas holes along the guide path extends from the upper surface of the upper section, through the upper section, and into the gas cavity. In some examples, the upper and lower sections of the track assembly may independently contain quartz, and in some examples, may be fused together.

Abstract: An apparatus or method for forming a tape-based, epitaxial lift-off film. The epitaxial lift-off film can be for at least one of a solar device, a semiconductor device, and an electronic device. The apparatus can comprise: a tape supply section, the tape supply section providing an unloaded support tape; a lamination section for receiving the unloaded support tape and a plurality of substrates, each substrate containing an epitaxial film thereon, the lamination section adhering the substrates to the unloaded support tape to form a loaded support tape; and an ELO etch section comprising a pressure system for applying pressure on said loaded support tape such that pressure is applied progressively downward and progressively towards a center-line of said loaded support tape when passing through said ELO etch section, the ELO etch section removing the substrates from the loaded support tape, while leaving the epitaxial film on the loaded support tape.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to a concentric gas manifold assembly used in deposition reactor or system during a vapor deposition process. In one embodiment, the manifold assembly has an upper section coupled to a middle section coupled to a lower section. The middle section contains an inlet, a manifold extending from the inlet to a passageway, and a tube extending along a central axis and containing a channel along the central axis and in fluid communication with the passageway. The lower section of the manifold assembly contains a second manifold extending from a second inlet to a second passageway and an opening concentric with the central axis. The tube extends to the opening to form a second channel between the tube and an edge of the opening. The second channel is concentric with the central axis and is in fluid communication with the second passageway.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are provided for a thin film stack containing a plurality of epitaxial stacks disposed on a substrate and a method for forming such a thin film stack. In one embodiment, the epitaxial stack contains a first sacrificial layer disposed over the substrate, a first epitaxial film disposed over the first sacrificial layer, a second sacrificial layer disposed over the first epitaxial film, and a second epitaxial film disposed over the second sacrificial layer. The thin film stack may further contain additional epitaxial films disposed over sacrificial layers. Generally, the epitaxial films contain gallium arsenide alloys and the sacrificial layers contain aluminum arsenide alloys. Methods provide the removal of the epitaxial films from the substrate by etching away the sacrificial layers during an epitaxial lift off (ELO) process. The epitaxial films are useful as photovoltaic cells, laser diodes, or other devices or materials.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to epitaxial lift off (ELO) thin films and devices and methods used to form such films and devices. In one embodiment, a method for forming an ELO thin film is provided which includes depositing an epitaxial material over a sacrificial layer on a substrate, adhering a flattened, pre-curved support handle onto the epitaxial material, and removing the sacrificial layer during an etching process. The etching process includes bending the pre-curved support handle to have substantial curvature while peeling the epitaxial material from the substrate and forming an etch crevice therebetween. Compression is maintained within the epitaxial material during the etching process. The flattened, pre-curved support handle may be formed by flattening a pre-curved support material.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells are provided. A photovoltaic (PV) device generally includes a window layer; an absorber layer disposed below the window layer such that electrons are generated when photons travel through the window layer and are absorbed by the absorber layer; and a plurality of contacts for external connection coupled to the absorber layer, such that all of the contacts for external connection are disposed below the absorber layer and do not block any of the photons from reaching the absorber layer through the window layer. Locating all the contacts on the back side of the PV device avoids solar shadows caused by front side contacts, typically found in conventional solar cells. Therefore, PV devices described herein with back side contacts may allow for increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) unit may have all electrical contacts positioned on the back side of the PV device to avoid shadowing and increase absorption of the photons impinging on the front side of the PV unit. Several PV units may be combined into PV banks, and an array of PV banks may be connected to form a PV module with thin strips of metal or conductive polymer formed at low temperature. Such innovations may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) unit, according to embodiments of the invention, may have a very thin absorber layer produced by epitaxial lift-off (ELO), all electrical contacts positioned on the back side of the PV device to avoid shadowing, and/or front side and back side light trapping employing a diffuser and a reflector to increase absorption of the photons impinging on the front side of the PV unit. Several PV units may be combined into PV banks, and an array of PV banks may be connected to form a PV module with thin strips of metal or conductive polymer applied at low temperature. Such innovations may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for converting electromagnetic radiation, such as solar energy, into electric energy with increased efficiency when compared to conventional solar cells. A photovoltaic (PV) unit, according to embodiments of the invention, may have a very thin absorber layer produced by epitaxial lift-off (ELO), all electrical contacts positioned on the back side of the PV device to avoid shadowing, and/or front side and back side light trapping employing a diffuser and a reflector to increase absorption of the photons impinging on the front side of the PV unit. Several PV units may be combined into PV banks, and an array of PV banks may be connected to form a PV module with thin strips of metal or conductive polymer applied at low temperature. Such innovations may allow for greater efficiency and flexibility in PV devices when compared to conventional solar cells.