Abstract: Electrically tunable metasurfaces including an array of subwavelength metasurface unit elements are presented. The unit elements include a stacked metal-insulator-metal structure within which an active phase change layer is included. A purely insulator, metal, or coexisting metal-insulator phase of the active layer can be electrically controlled to tune an amplitude and phase response of the metasurfaces. In combination with the subwavelengths dimensions of the unit elements, the phase and amplitude response can be controlled in a range from optical wavelengths to millimeter wavelength of incident light. Electrical control of the unit elements can be provided via resistive heating produced by flow of current though a top metal layer of the unit elements. Alternatively, electrical control of the unit elements can be provided via electrical field effect produced by applying a voltage differential between the top and bottom metal layers of the unit elements.

Abstract: In conventional solar cells with metal contacts, a non-negligible fraction of the incoming solar power is immediately lost either through absorption or reflection upon interaction with the contacts. Effectively transparent contacts (“ETCs”) for solar cells can be referred to as three-dimensional contacts designed to redirect incoming light onto a photoabsorbing surface of a solar cell. In many embodiments, the ETCs have triangular cross-sections. Such ETCs can be placed on a photoabsorbing surface such that at least one of their sides forms an angle with the photoabsorbing surface. In this configuration, the ETCs can redirect incident light onto the photoabsorbing surface, mitigating or eliminating reflection loss compared to conventional solar cells. When constructed in accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention, ETCs can be effectively transparent and highly conductive.

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, and/or compactible structures and deployment mechanisms used to form and deploy such satellite modules and power generation tiles associated therewith are provided. Each satellite module and/or power generation tile may be formed of a compactable structure and deployment mechanism capable of reducing the payload area required to deliver the satellite module to an orbital formation within the space-based solar power station and reliably deploy it once in orbit.

Abstract: Resonant optical cavities incorporating black phosphorus to enable electrically tunable control of light are disclosed. Methods and devices are described that use black phosphorus as an electrically tunable optical material to control phase, amplitude and/or polarization of light from visible to mid-infrared wavelengths. The operating wavelength of the optical cavities depends on the thickness of the embedded black phosphorous. Tunable control of light is performed by adjusting the doping level of black phosphorous.

Abstract: In conventional solar cells with metal contacts, a non-negligible fraction of the incoming solar power is immediately lost either through absorption or reflection upon interaction with the contacts. Effectively transparent contacts (“ETCs”) for solar cells can be referred to as three-dimensional contacts designed to redirect incoming light onto a photoabsorbing surface of a solar cell. In many embodiments, the ETCs have triangular cross-sections. Such ETCs can be placed on a photoabsorbing surface such that at least one of their sides forms an angle with the photoabsorbing surface. In this configuration, the ETCs can redirect incident light onto the photoabsorbing surface, mitigating or eliminating reflection loss compared to conventional solar cells. When constructed in accordance with a number of embodiments of the invention, ETCs can be effectively transparent and highly conductive.

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: Multi-functional coilable thin-walled structures that can be implemented within space-based satellite modules, and methods for their manufacture are provided. Multi-functional coilable thin-walled structures are comprised of at least one longeron that is capable of rolling and collapsing upon itself. In some embodiments, the coilable thin-walled longeron is a flange longeron. The flange longeron contains at least two major regions: a web and a plurality of flanges. The web region comprises portions of flanges that are bonded to one another. The plurality of flanges separate from one another on the same end of the web region. The plurality of flanges are similar in thickness and shape.

Abstract: Bifacial solar cells have been gaining momentum due to their promise of reducing the price of photovoltaic generated electricity by increasing power output. In addition to front side illumination, bifacial solar cells can also accept photons incident on the rear side. In many embodiments, increased power output values of up to and around 50% can be achieved. In some circumstances, other values can be achieved. For example, ˜40-70% under cloudy conditions and between ˜13-35% under sunny conditions, depending on the height of the ground clearance, can be achieved. Other factors such as but not limited to the (spectral) albedo of the surroundings as well as the geometry in which the cells are mounted can strongly influence the power output. As can readily be appreciated, the exact amount of increased power output can vary widely depending on the configuration and operating conditions of the bifacial solar cell.

Abstract: An optical modulating device includes a permittivity change layer having a variable permittivity, a dielectric layer disposed on the permittivity change layer, a nanoantenna disposed on the dielectric layer, and a light-emitting structure disposed adjacent to the permittivity change layer.

Abstract: An array of unit cells allows beam steering of an incident electromagnetic wave. Each unit cell has a back reflector, a conductive oxide between gate dielectrics, and an antenna. Voltage bias applied to different layers enables the accumulation or depletion of charges at the top and bottom interfaces of the conductive oxide. The charge accumulation and depletion regions control the refractive index of the material, enabling control of the reflected electromagnetic wave.

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: Luminescent solar concentrators having a grid-based PV design can be implemented in many different ways. In several embodiments, the LSC is implemented using infrared luminophore technology combined with a PV design implementing a grid of PV cells. LSCs can incorporate quantum dots that absorb uniformly across the visible spectrum and photoluminesce down-shifted energy light in the infrared wavelength regime. Some embodiments include PV cells utilizing micro-grid structures that can be implemented for scalable and controllably transparent applications, such as but not limited to power windows targeted for building integrated photovoltaic applications. In a number of embodiments, the LSCs can utilize a unique PV cell form factor and spectral filter coatings to increase the thermal insulation of the window and enhance photocurrent capture by a silicon micro-grid.

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 generated by an array of sun sensors that estimate the shape of the module to evaluate the phase shift and/or amplitude modulation to apply to the reference signal at each power transmitter.

Abstract: Provided are an optical modulating device and a system employing the same. The optical modulating device includes a phase modulator including a meta surface including a nanoantenna configured to couple light incident on the phase modulator, and including a quantum well layer having a multi-quantum well and configured to modulate a phase of light by modulating a refractive index according to an electrical control, and a reflective layer provided at on the phase modulator opposite to a side of the meta surface of the phase modulator and configured to resonate light coupled through the nanoantenna.

Abstract: Photovoltaics configured to be manufactured without epitaxial processes and methods for such manufacture are provided. Methods utilize bulk semiconducting crystal substrates, such as, for example, GaAs and InP such that epitaxy processes are not required. Nanowire etch and exfoliation processes are used allowing the manufacture of large numbers of photovoltaic cells per substrate wafer (e.g., greater than 100). Photovoltaic cells incorporate electron and hole selective contacts such that epitaxial heterojunctions are avoided during manufacture.

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: Perimeter control architectures for phased array antennas and metasurfaces are provided. A plurality of waveform emitters is disposed in an array having a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns. Each of the emitters is disposed within one of the plurality of rows and one of the plurality of columns. A plurality of column control lines is provided, each column control line interconnecting the emitters within one of the plurality of columns and adapted to provide a column control signal to the emitters within that column. A plurality of row control lines is provided, each row control line interconnecting the emitters within one of the plurality of rows and adapted to provide a row signal to the emitters within that row. A phase of each of the plurality of waveform emitters varies with the column control signal and the row control signal provided to that emitter, the plurality of waveform emitters remaining coherent.

Abstract: A method of making a virtual substrate includes providing a donor substrate comprising a single crystal donor layer of a first material over a support substrate, wherein the first material comprises a ternary, quaternary or penternary semiconductor material or a material which is not available in bulk form, bonding the donor substrate to a handle substrate, and separating the donor substrate from the handle substrate such that a single crystal film of the first material remains bonded to the handle substrate.

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, and/or compactible structures and deployment mechanisms used to form and deploy such satellite modules and power generation tiles associated therewith are provided. Each satellite module and/or power generation tile may be formed of a compactable structure and deployment mechanism capable of reducing the payload area required to deliver the satellite module to an orbital formation within the space-based solar power station and reliably deploy it once in orbit.