Abstract: A quantum dot includes a nanocrystalline core and an alloyed nanocrystalline shell made of a semiconductor material composition different from the nanocrystalline core. The alloyed nanocrystalline shell is bonded to and completely surrounds the nanocrystalline core.

Abstract: The light conversion efficiency of a solar cell (10) is enhanced by using an optical downshifting layer (30) in cooperation with a photovoltaic material (22). The optical downshifting layer converts photons (50) having wavelengths in a supplemental light absorption spectrum into photons (52) having a wavelength in the primary light absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic material. The cost effectiveness and efficiency of solar cells platforms (20) can be increased by relaxing the range of the primary light absorption spectrum of the photovoltaic material. The optical downshifting layer can be applied as a low cost solution processed film composed of highly absorbing and emissive quantum dot heterostructure nanomaterial embedded in an inert matrix to improve the short wavelength response of the photovoltaic material. The enhanced efficiency provided by the optical downshifting layer permits advantageous modifications to the solar cell platform that enhances its efficiency as well.

Abstract: Quantum dot polymer composites for on-chip light emitting diode applications are described. In an example, a composite for on-chip light emitting diode application includes a polymer matrix, a plurality of quantum dots dispersed in the polymer matrix, and a base dispersed in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: Quantum dot polymer composites for on-chip light emitting diode applications are described. In an example, a composite for on-chip light emitting diode application includes a polymer matrix, a plurality of quantum dots dispersed in the polymer matrix, and a base dispersed in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: Fabricating a semiconductor structure including forming a nanocrystalline core from a first semiconductor material, forming a nanocrystalline shell from a second, different, semiconductor material that at least partially surrounds the nanocrystalline core, wherein the nanocrystalline core and the nanocrystalline shell form a quantum dot. Fabrication further involves forming an insulator layer encapsulating the quantum dot to create a coated quantum dot, and forming an additional insulator layer on the coated quantum dot using an Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) process.

Abstract: Quantum dot polymer composites for on-chip light emitting diode applications are described. In an example, a composite for on-chip light emitting diode application includes a polymer matrix, a plurality of quantum dots dispersed in the polymer matrix, and a base dispersed in the polymer matrix.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a nanocrystalline core comprising a first semiconductor material having a first bandgap, and a nanocrystalline shell comprising a second semiconductor material different than the first semiconductor material at least partially surrounding the nanocrystalline core, the second semiconductor material having a second bandgap greater than the first bandgap.

Abstract: Semiconductor structures having insulators coatings and methods of fabricating semiconductor structures having insulators coatings are described. In an example, a method of coating a semiconductor structure involves adding a silicon-containing silica precursor species to a solution of nanocrystals. The method also involves, subsequently, forming a silica-based insulator layer on the nanocrystals from a reaction involving the silicon-containing silica precursor species. The method also involves adding additional amounts of the silicon-containing silica precursor species after initial forming of the silica-based insulator layer while continuing to form the silica-based insulator layer to finally encapsulate each of the nanocrystals.

Abstract: Networks of semiconductor structures with fused insulator coatings and methods of fabricating networks of semiconductor structures with fused insulator coatings are described. In an example, a semiconductor structure includes an insulator network. A plurality of discrete semiconductor nanocrystals is disposed in the insulator network. Each of the plurality of discrete semiconductor nanocrystals is spaced apart from one another by the insulator network.

Abstract: An LED is fabricated with a composite layer including quantum dots (QDs), wherein the QDs are provided in a silicone paste. A plurality of QD silicone paste reservoirs each contain a provided silicone paste with QDs of different wavelengths. Further, a silicone paste reservoir containing a clear silicone paste. A paste mixing chamber, in to which the QD paste reservoirs and the silicone paste reservoir supply their respective pastes, mixes together the pastes and form a mixed QD silicone paste. A silicone mixing and metering component receives the mixed QD silicone paste from the paste mixing chamber, and further receives A silicone and B silicone from a respective A silicone reservoir and a B silicone reservoir, measures, and mixes the mixed QD silicone paste with the A and B silicones to form a silicone polymer composite. A dispensing component receives to the silicone polymer composite from the mixing and metering component and dispenses the composite to a molding tool.

Abstract: Semiconductor nanocrystal structures having silica insulator coatings encapsulating the nanocrystals and methods of fabricating semiconductor nanocrystal structures having silica insulator coatings encapsulating the nanocrystals involve adding a silicon-containing silica precursor species to a solution of nanocrystals, subsequently forming a silica-based insulator layer on the nanocrystals from a reaction involving the silicon-containing silica precursor species, and adding additional amounts of the silicon-containing silica precursor species after initial formation of the silica-based insulator layer while continuing to form the silica-based insulator layer to finally encapsulate each of the nanocrystals.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a nanocrystalline core comprising a first semiconductor material, and at least one nanocrystalline shell comprising a second, different, semiconductor material that at least partially surrounds the nanocrystalline core. The nanocrystalline core and the nanocrystalline shell(s) form a quantum dot. An insulator layer encapsulates the quantum dot to create a coated quantum dot, and at least one additional insulator layer encapsulates the coated quantum dot.

Abstract: A solar concentrator module (80) employs a luminescent concentrator material (82) between photovoltaic cells (86) having their charge-carrier separation junctions (90) parallel to front surfaces (88) of photovoltaic material 84 of the photovoltaic cells (86). Intercell areas (78) covered by the luminescent concentrator material (82) occupy from 2 to 50% of the total surface area of the solar concentrator modules (80). The luminescent concentrator material (82) preferably employs quantum dot heterostructures, and the photovoltaic cells (86) preferably employ low-cost high-efficiency photovoltaic materials (84), such as silicon-based photovoltaic materials.

Abstract: Fabricating a semiconductor structure including forming a nanocrystalline core from a first semiconductor material, forming a nanocrystalline shell from a second, different, semiconductor material that at least partially surrounds the nanocrystalline core, wherein the nanocrystalline core and the nanocrystalline shell form a quantum dot. Fabrication further involves forming an insulator layer encapsulating the quantum dot to create a coated quantum dot, and forming an additional insulator layer on the coated quantum.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure has a nano-crystalline core comprising a first semiconductor material and a nano-crystalline shell comprising a second, different semiconductor material at least partially surrounding the nano-crystalline core. Either one, but not both, of the core and shell are based on cadmium-containing semiconductor materials.

Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a nanocrystalline core comprising a first semiconductor material having a first bandgap, and a nanocrystalline shell comprising a second semiconductor material different than the first semiconductor material at least partially surrounding the nanocrystalline core, the second semiconductor material having a second bandgap greater than the first bandgap.

Abstract: A solar concentrator module (80) employs a luminescent concentrator material (82) between photovoltaic cells (86) having their charge-carrier separation junctions (90) parallel to front surfaces (88) of photovoltaic material 84 of the photovoltaic cells (86). Intercell areas (78) covered by the luminescent concentrator material (82) occupy from 2 to 50% of the total surface area of the solar concentrator modules (80). The luminescent concentrator material (82) preferably employs quantum dot heterostructures, and the photovoltaic cells (86) preferably employ low-cost high-efficiency photovoltaic materials (84), such as silicon-based photovoltaic materials.

Abstract: Nano-crystalline core and nano-crystalline shell pairings having group I-III-VI material nano-crystalline cores, and methods of fabricating nano-crystalline core and nano-crystalline shell pairings having group I-III-VI material nano-crystalline cores, are described. In an example, a semiconductor structure includes a nano-crystalline core composed of a group I-III-VI semiconductor material. A nano-crystalline shell composed of a second, different, group I-III-VI semiconductor material at least partially surrounds the nano-crystalline core.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a semiconductor structure comprises forming a quantum dot. An insulator layer of silica is then formed encapsulating the quantum dot to create a coated quantum dot, using a reverse micelle sol-gel reaction. In one embodiment, the reverse micelle sol-gel reaction includes dissolving the quantum dot in a first non-polar solvent to form a first solution, adding the first solution to a second solution having a surfactant dissolved in a second non-polar solvent; and adding sodium silicate, potassium silicate, or lithium silicate to the second solution.

Abstract: Fabricating a semiconductor structure including forming a nanocrystalline core from a first semiconductor material, forming a nanocrystalline shell from a second, different, semiconductor material that at least partially surrounds the nanocrystalline core, wherein the nanocrystalline core and the nanocrystalline shell form a quantum dot. Fabrication further involves forming an insulator layer encapsulating the quantum dot to create a coated quantum dot, and forming an additional insulator layer on the coated quantum.