Abstract: Luminescent solar concentrators in accordance with various embodiments of the invention can be designed to minimize photon thermalization losses and incomplete light trapping using various components and techniques. Cadmium selenide core, cadmium sulfide shell (CdSe/CdS) quantum dot (“QD”) technology can be implemented in such devices to allow for near-unity QDs and sufficiently large Stokes shifts. Many embodiments of the invention include a luminescent solar concentrator that incorporates CdSe/CdS quantum dot luminophores. In further embodiments, anisotropic luminophore emission can be implemented through metasurface/plasmonic antenna coupling. In several embodiments, red-shifted luminophores are implemented. Additionally, top and bottom spectrally-selective filters, such as but not limited to selectively-reflective metasurface mirrors and polymeric stack filters, can be implemented to enhance the photon collection efficiency.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to characterization of semiconductor structures, and more particularly to optical characterization of high-k dielectric materials. A method includes providing a semiconductor structure comprising a semiconductor and a high-k dielectric layer formed over the semiconductor, wherein the dielectric layer has electron traps formed therein. The method additionally includes at least partially transmitting an incident light having an incident energy through the high-k dielectric layer and at least partially absorbing the incident light in the semiconductor. The method additionally includes measuring a nonlinear optical spectrum resulting from the light having the energy different from the incident energy, the nonlinear optical spectrum having a first region and a second region, wherein the first region changes at a different rate in intensity compared to the second region.

Abstract: Provided is a quantum dot (QD) light modulator and an apparatus including the QD light modulator. The QD light modulator may include a QD-containing layer including QDs having light-emission characteristics, a refractive index change layer arranged adjacent to the QD-containing layer, and a reflector arranged facing the QD-containing layer. The refractive index change layer may include a carrier density change area in which a carrier density changes, and the carrier density change area may be arranged adjacent to the QD-containing layer. The light-emission characteristics of the QD-containing layer may be modulated according to a change in a property of the refractive index change layer. The QD light modulator may further include a nano-antenna structure arranged on the QD-containing layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods of non-epitaxial high Schottky barriers heterojunction solar cells are described. The high Schottky barriers heterojunction solar cells are formed using non-epitaxial methods to reduce fabrication costs and improve scalability.

Abstract: A space-based solar power station, a power generating satellite module and/or a method for collecting solar radiation and transmitting power generated using electrical current produced therefrom is provided. Power transmitters can be coordinated as a phased array and the power generated by the phased array is transmitted to one or more power receivers to achieve remote wireless power generation and delivery. In many embodiments, a reference signal is distributed within the space-based solar power station to coordinate the phased array. In several embodiments, determinations of the relative locations of the antennas in the array are utilized to evaluate the phase shift and/or amplitude modulation to apply the reference signal at each power transmitter.

Abstract: A light modulation element according to example embodiments includes a substrate; a first lower DBR layer on the substrate including a first material layer alternately stacked with a second material layer having a different refractive index from the first material layer; a second lower DBR layer on the first lower DBR layer with a surface area less than the first lower DBR layer and including a third material layer alternately stacked with a fourth material layer having a different refractive index from the third material layer; an active layer on the second lower DBR layer, including a semiconductor material having a multi-quantum well structure and having a refractive index that varies according to an applied voltage; and an upper DBR layer on the active layer including a fifth material layer alternately stacked with a sixth material layer having a different refractive index from the fifth material layer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transparent materials implementing effectively transparent conductors in accordance with various embodiments of the invention are illustrated. One embodiment includes a window including a first transparent layer of transparent material having a first surface and a second surface, a first plurality of triangular conductors in optical communication with the first transparent layer of glass, wherein each of the first plurality of triangular conductors includes a base side that is parallel to the first surface of the first transparent layer of glass and wherein the first plurality of triangular conductors is configured to redirect a portion of incident light, wherein the portion of incident light travels through both the first surface and the second surface of the first transparent layer of glass.

Abstract: A structured light generator includes a light source configured to emit light, and a first meta optical device including a first metasurface including nanostructures having sub-wavelength dimensions that are less than a wavelength of the light emitted from the light source, the first metasurface being configured to form a distribution of light rays from the light emitted from the light source to thereby radiate structured light.

Abstract: The disclosed technology generally relates to characterization of semiconductor structures, and more particularly to optical characterization of high-k dielectric materials. A method includes providing a semiconductor structure comprising a semiconductor and a high-k dielectric layer formed over the semiconductor, wherein the dielectric layer has electron traps formed therein. The method additionally includes at least partially transmitting an incident light having an incident energy through the high-k dielectric layer and at least partially absorbing the incident light in the semiconductor. The method additionally includes measuring a nonlinear optical spectrum resulting from the light having the energy different from the incident energy, the nonlinear optical spectrum having a first region and a second region, wherein the first region changes at a different rate in intensity compared to the second region.

Abstract: Compactable power generation arrays are provided. The compactable power generation arrays may include a structural substrate body having an array of solar concentrators configured to receive and re-direct solar radiation onto a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) cells. In many other embodiments the PV cells may be disposed upon a back surface of each of the solar concentrators such that an adjacent solar concentrator is configured to re-direct solar radiation onto the PV cell disposed on the back surface of the adjacent solar concentrator.

Abstract: Provided are light emission devices including an output coupler and optical apparatuses having the same. The light emission device may include a QD layer containing quantum dots and a nano-antenna structure including an output coupler configured to control an output characteristic of light emitted from the QD layer. The output coupler may be configured to output an emission wavelength of the QD layer. The nano-antenna structure may include one of a metallic antenna, a dielectric antenna, and a slit-containing structure, or may have a multi-patch antenna structure or a fishbone antenna structure.

Abstract: An optical modulating device may include a plurality of quantum dot (QD)-containing layers having QDs and a plurality of refractive index change layers. The QD-containing layers may be disposed between the refractive index change layers, respectively. The optical modulating device may be configured to modulate light-emission characteristics of the plurality of QD-containing layers. At least two of the QD-containing layers may have different central emission wavelengths. At least two of the plurality of refractive index change layers may include different materials or have different carrier densities.

Abstract: Narrowband light filters, and methods of manufacturing such light filters, are provided. A narrowband light filter may include at least two electrically conductive bodies, an electrically conductive thin film layer disposed between the at least two electrically conductive bodies, at least one protective oxide layer disposed on the thin film layer and electrically conductive bodies, and at least one slit disposed through the electrically conductive thin layer. In various embodiments, the electrically conductive bodies give the narrowband light filter a mirrored structure in exemplary embodiments of the invention. The narrowband filters may also include one or more slits. Multiple slits may be configured to make the narrowband filtration polarization-independent. A plurality of narrowband light filters may be configured into pixel arrays. Pixel arrays may also be used in multispectral or hyperspectral imaging apparatus and techniques.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of metathesizing olefins using catalysts previously considered to be practically inactive. The present invention further relates to novel photosensitive compositions, their use as photoresists, and methods related to patterning polymer layers on substrates. Further, modifications to the compositions and method provide for an unprecedented functionalization of the compositions, useful for example in the preparation of sensors, drug delivery systems, and tissue scaffolds. The novel compositions and associated methods also provide for the opportunity to prepare 3-dimensional objects which provide new access to critically dimensioned devices, including for example photonic devices.

Abstract: The optical response of a metasurface is controlled by actuating it via an electrical or magnetic field, temperature control, optical pumping or electromechanical actuation. The metasurface will therefore control the polarization of the incident light. The metasurface comprises an array of patch antennas. The patch antennas are in the form of asymmetrical elements, including rotated rods, cross-shapes, V-shapes, and L-shapes.

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: Photoelectrochemical (PEC) technology for the conversion of solar energy into chemicals may require cost-effective photoelectrodes to efficiently and stably drive anodic and/or cathodic half-reactions to complete the overall reactions for storing solar energy in chemical bonds. Apparatus and systems incorporating effectively transparent metal catalysts enable the design and/or implementation of PEC devices for light harvesting. Triple-junction photocathodes with the triangular catalyst grids are provided to improve the efficiency of the photocathodes to generate renewable fuel from sunlight.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement electrically tunable metasurfaces.

Abstract: Provided are an optical modulating device and a system including the optical modulating device. The optical modulating device includes a substrate, and a phase modulator formed on the substrate and including a Fabry-Perot cavity. The Fabry-Perot cavity of the phase modulator includes a first reflective layer, a second reflective layer, and a tunable core formed between the first reflective layer and the second reflective layer, wherein the tunable core is formed of a semiconductor material and is configured to modulate a phase of light corresponding to modulation of a refractive index of the tunable core according to electrical control.

Abstract: A light modulation element according to example embodiments includes a substrate; a first lower DBR layer on the substrate including a first material layer alternately stacked with a second material layer having a different refractive index from the first material layer; a second lower DBR layer on the first lower DBR layer with a surface area less than the first lower DBR layer and including a third material layer alternately stacked with a fourth material layer having a different refractive index from the third material layer; an active layer on the second lower DBR layer, including a semiconductor material having a multi-quantum well structure and having a refractive index that varies according to an applied voltage; and an upper DBR layer on the active layer including a fifth material layer alternately stacked with a sixth material layer having a different refractive index from the fifth material layer.