Abstract: An optically controlled read only memory is disclosed. The optically controlled read only memory includes a substrate, a plurality of memory cells having optical sensors disposed on the substrate, and at least one shielding structure disposed on the optical sensor, in which the shielding structure selectively shields a portion of the optical sensor according to a predetermined layout. Preferably, the optically controlled read only memory of the present invention is capable of providing two types or more program codes and outputting different program codes carrying different function under different lighting condition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of manufacturing a solid state imaging device, including the steps of: forming a light receiving portion in a light receiving area of a semiconductor substrate; forming a pad portion in a pad area of the semiconductor substrate; forming a microlens material layer over the light receiving portion and the pad portion; providing the microlens material layer with a microlens corresponding to the light receiving portion; forming a low-reflection material layer on the microlens material layer; etching the microlens material layer and the low-reflection material layer over the pad portion to form an opening; and imparting hydrophilicity to a surface of the low-reflection material layer and an inside portion of the opening by a normal temperature oxygen radical treatment.

Abstract: System and method for processing a semiconductor device surface to reduce dark current and white pixel anomalies. An embodiment comprises a method applied to a semiconductor or photodiode device surface adjacent to a photosensitive region, and opposite a side having circuit structures for the device. A doped layer may optionally be created at a depth of less than about 10 nanometers below the surface of the substrate and may be doped with a boron concentration between about 1E13 and 1E16. An oxide may be created on the substrate using a temperature sufficient to reduce the surface roughness below a predetermined roughness threshold, and optionally at a temperature between about 300° C. and 500° C. and a thickness between about 1 nanometer and about 10 nanometers. A dielectric may then be created on the oxide, the dielectric having a refractive index greater than a predetermined refractive threshold, optionally at least about 2.0.

Abstract: An improved method of fabricating a vertical semiconductor LED is disclosed. Ions are implanted into the LED to create non-conductive regions, which facilitates current spreading in the device. In some embodiments, the non-conductive regions are located in the p-type layer. In other embodiments, the non-conductive layer may be in the multi-quantum well or n-type layer.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating focusing of a camera module are disclosed. The camera module includes an image sensor, a lens cube, a barrel and an adjustable member. An adjustable member can be configured to fine-tune the focal length with respect to an image sensor, so that a lens cube with a shorter or longer focal length can be corrected and integrated into the camera module.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup apparatus includes a substrate, a wiring layer, and a waveguide. The substrate is provided with a pixel array portion constituted of a plurality of pixels each having a photoelectric converter that converts incident light into an electrical signal. The wiring layer includes a plurality of wirings and an insulating layer that covers the plurality of wirings that are laminated above the substrate. The waveguide guides light to each of the photoelectric converters of the plurality of pixels, the waveguide being formed in the wiring layer. The waveguide is formed to have a waveguide exit end from which light exits the waveguide so that a distance between the waveguide exit end and a surface of the photoelectric converter that receives light from the waveguide become shorter, as wavelengths of light guided by the waveguide are longer.

Abstract: A method of making an optical member including high refractive index layers and low refractive index layers, which are each relatively thin as compared with an optical length, and disposed alternately in the lateral direction with respect to an optical axis. Each width of the high refractive index layers and the low refractive index layers is equal to or smaller than the wavelength order of incident light.

Abstract: A light-emitting device which emits light omnidirectionally is provided. A light-emitting device according to the present invention includes: a package which is translucent; an LED provided in a recess in the package; and a sealing member for sealing the LED and packaging the recess; and the recess includes a bottom surface on which the LED is mounted and a side surface surrounding a bottom surface, and light emitted by the LED is transmitted inside the package through the bottom surface and the side surface of the recess and is emitted to outside of the package from the back surface and the side surface of the package.

Abstract: The optical device includes an active component on a base. The active component is a light sensor and/or a light modulator. The active component including an active medium that includes a ridge and slab regions. The ridge extends upwards from the base and is positioned between the slab regions. The ridge defines a portion of a waveguide on the base. One or more isolation trenches each extends into the slab regions of the active medium and is at least partially spaced apart from the ridge of the active medium.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a photoelectric conversion element includes: forming a hole injection layer by applying a solvent containing a first p-type organic semiconductor and an oxidant capable of oxidizing the first p-type organic semiconductor on a transparent substrate and a transparent electrode provided on the transparent substrate and by removing the solvent by drying to oxidize the first p-type organic semiconductor with the oxidant; forming a photoelectric conversion layer by applying a solvent containing an n-type organic semiconductor and a second p-type organic semiconductor on the hole injection layer and by removing the solvent by drying; and forming a metal electrode using a metal layer on the photoelectric conversion layer.

Abstract: Spacer resin pattern layer which precisely aligns a light-emitting element or a light-receiving element relative to both a waveguide pattern layer and electrical circuit pattern layer from the semiconductor wafer level. A substratum of resin having a through-hole provided for electrical communication with an electrical circuit pattern layer is formed on a semiconductor wafer. A truncated cone-shaped three-dimensional reflective surface is formed to guide the emitted light towards or received light from a waveguide pattern layer. A metal film is deposited planarly in a predetermined range from the center when positioned relative to the position of the through-hole. A truncated cone-shaped mold is stamped in the center. By modifying the direction of the light using this tapered structure, the precision tolerance is increased and optical loss is reduced.

Abstract: Disclosed is a solid-state image pickup apparatus including a photoelectric converter formed on a substrate, a wiring portion formed above the photoelectric converter and constituted of multilayer wirings, and an insulating portion in which the multilayer wirings of the wiring portion are embedded, the insulating portion having a refractive index larger than a silicon oxide.

Abstract: Pixel sensor cells, methods of fabricating pixel sensor cells, and design structures for a pixel sensor cell. The pixel sensor cell has a gate structure that includes a gate dielectric and a gate electrode on the gate dielectric. The gate electrode includes a layer with first and second sections that have a juxtaposed relationship on the gate dielectric. The second section of the gate electrode is comprised of a conductor, such as doped polysilicon or a metal. The first section of the gate electrode is comprised of a metal having a higher work function than the conductor comprising the second section so that the gate structure has an asymmetric threshold voltage.

Abstract: Various embodiments of a method and device for dark current cancellation for optical power monitoring in optical transceivers are presented. In one aspect, a device includes a photosensitive module and a processing module coupled to the photosensitive module. The photosensitive module is configured to detect an optical signal and generate a first signal responsive to detecting the optical signal. The processing module is configured to determine a value of a second signal that is related to noise and determine a value of a third signal that is related to a difference between a value of the first signal and the value of the second signal.

Abstract: A light receiving device includes a microlens 21 located in each of regions corresponding to pixels, the microlens being disposed on a rear surface of an InP substrate 1. The microlens is formed by using a resin material having a range of a transmittance of light in the wavelength region between 0.7 and 3 ?m of 25% or less, the transmittance being 70% or more.

Abstract: A thin film photovoltaic cell is configured such that a rear face electrode layer, a photoelectric conversion layer and a transparent electrode layer are stacked in this order on one face of an insulating substrate, a back face electrode layer is deposited on the other face, and both electrode layers are electrically connected via a second penetrating hole which penetrates the insulating substrate; and is further configured such that a protective layer is provided at least in a region surrounding the second penetrating hole and located between the transparent electrode layer and the photoelectric conversion layer stacked on the rear face electrode layer, or between the rear face electrode layer and the photoelectric conversion layer. By using a laser to remove a transparent electrode on the periphery of the second penetrating hole in the region in which the protective layer is formed, the two electrode layers are electrically insulated.

Abstract: A semiconductor light emitting element of the present invention includes a support substrate, a semiconductor film including a light emitting layer, a surface electrode provided on the surface on a light-extraction-surface side of the semiconductor film, and a light reflecting layer. The surface electrode includes first electrode pieces that form ohmic contact with the semiconductor film and a second electrode piece electrically connected to the first electrode pieces. The light reflecting layer includes a reflecting electrode, and the reflecting electrode includes third electrode pieces that form ohmic contact with the semiconductor film and a fourth electrode piece electrically connected to the third electrode pieces and placed opposite to the second electrode piece. Both the second electrode piece and the fourth electrode piece form Schottky contact with the semiconductor film so as to form barriers to prevent forward current in the semiconductor film.

Abstract: A solid-state image pick-up device is provided which includes a semiconductor substrate main body which has an element forming layer and a gettering layer provided on an upper layer thereof; photoelectric conversion elements, each of which includes a first conductive type region, provided in the element forming layer; and a dielectric film which is provided on an upper layer of the gettering layer and which induces a second conductive type region in a surface of the gettering layer.

Abstract: A process is described for integrating, on an inert substrate, a device having at least one passive component and one active component. The process comprises: deposition of a protection dielectric layer on the inert substrate; formation of a polysilicon island on the protection dielectric layer; integration of the active component on the polysilicon island; deposition of the covering dielectric layer on the protection dielectric layer and on the active component; integration of the passive component on the covering dielectric layer; formation of first contact structures in openings realised in the covering dielectric layer in correspondence with active regions of the active component; and formation of second contact structures in correspondence with the passive component. An integrated device obtained through this process is also described.

Abstract: Techniques are described for forming a waveguide photodetector. In one example, a method of forming a waveguide photodetector includes forming a waveguide on a substrate, e.g., silicon on insulator, depositing a first oxide coating over the waveguide and on the SOI substrate, creating a seed window through the first oxide coating to a bulk silicon layer of the SOI substrate, depositing a photodetector material into the seed window and on top of the first oxide coating over the waveguide, depositing a second oxide coating over the photodetector material and over the first oxide coating deposited over the waveguide and on the SOI substrate, and applying thermal energy to liquefy the photodetector material.

Abstract: A method of making a semiconductor device includes forming wiring on a first surface of a first substrate, removing a portion of a second surface of the first substrate to reduce a thickness of the first substrate, forming an oxide film on the second surface of the first substrate based on an oxidation process performed within a temperature range, and removing the oxide film. The temperature range may be below a melting temperature of the wiring, and the oxide film is formed to a depth that includes one or more defects below the second surface of the first substrate. Removal of the oxide film results in removing a portion of the first substrate that includes the one or more effects.

Abstract: This invention is related to novel perylene diester derivatives represented by the general formula (I) or general formula (II) as described herein. The derivatives are useful in various applications, such as luminescent dyes for optical light collection systems, fluorescence-based solar collectors, fluorescence-activated displays, and/or single-molecule spectroscopy. The invention also relates to a luminescent medium, such as a luminescent film, that can significantly enhance the solar harvesting efficiency of thin film CdS/CdTe or CIGS solar cells. The luminescent medium comprises an optically transparent polymer matrix and at least one luminescent dye that comprises a perylene diester derivative. Over 16% of an efficiency enhancement to a CdS/CdTe solar cell and over 12% of an efficiency enhancement to a CIGS solar cell can be achieved.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of an integrated circuit packaging system includes: mounting an integrated circuit over a package carrier; mounting a rounded interconnect on the package carrier; mounting a conductive shield over the package carrier, the conductive shield having an elevated portion and a hole adjacent to the elevated portion with the elevated portion over the integrated circuit and the rounded interconnect exposed from the hole; and forming an encapsulation between the conductive shield and the package carrier with the rounded interconnect exposed.

Abstract: Transparent layer composite assemblies are provided that are suitable for use in solar modules and light emitting diodes, as well as methods for producing such layer composite assemblies and to the uses thereof. The layer composite assemblies have substrate materials that make it possible to increase the luminous efficiency of light emitting diodes and the efficiency of solar modules.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device including a substrate; a wiring layer formed on a front side of the substrate in which pixels are formed; a surface electrode pad section formed in the wiring layer; a light-shielding film formed on a rear side of the substrate; a pad section base layer formed in the same layer as the light-shielding film; an on-chip lens layer formed over the light-shielding film and the pad section base layer in a side opposite from the substrate side; a back electrode pad section formed above the on-chip lens layer; a through-hole formed to penetrate the on-chip lens layer, the pad section base layer, and the substrate so as to expose the surface electrode pad section; and a through-electrode layer which is formed in the through-hole and connects the surface electrode pad section and the back electrode pad section.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for manufacturing an electrode of a dye-sensitized solar cell using an inkjet printing process, an electrode formed thereby, and a dye-sensitized solar cell having the electrode. According to the method, a metal electrode is formed by jetting an ink solution containing nano metal powder on a transparent substrate or a transparent substrate in which a barrier layer is deposited to improve coating performance of a transparent conductive layer. A transparent conductive layer is formed on the transparent substrate on which the metal electrode is formed. The transparent conductive layer protects the metal electrode from liquid electrolyte.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of coating a substrate for manufacturing a solar cell in a deposition environment, the method comprising the steps of: a) Depositing a first zinc oxide layer onto a substrate. Reducing a zinc precursor content in the deposition environment, c) Treating the first zinc oxide layer with a mixture of diborane and water to form a plurality of coating seeds on the surface of the first zinc oxide layer, and d) Depositing a second zinc oxide layer onto the first zinc oxide layer. The method according to the invention allows improving the material quality of silicon layers which may later be grown on such a substrate. Additionally, the light scattering and subsequent light trapping in a respective solar cell may be enhanced by a method according to the invention. The present invention further relates to a solar cell being manufactured according to the invention.

Abstract: A solar cell device is provided, including a transparent substrate, a transparent conductive layer disposed over the transparent substrate, a photovoltaic element formed over the composite transparent conductive layer, and an electrode layer disposed over the photovoltaic element. In one embodiment, the transparent conductive layer includes lithium and fluorine-co-doped tin oxides, and the lithium and fluorine-co-doped tin oxides have a lithium doping concentration of about 0.2˜2.3% and a fluorine doping concentration of about 0.1˜2.5%.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for forming an image sensor device. First, a lens is provided, and a first sacrificial element is then formed on the lens. Subsequently, an electromagnetic interference layer is formed on the lens and the first sacrificial element, and the first sacrificial element and the electromagnetic interference layer thereon are removed to form an electromagnetic interference pattern having an opening exposing a selected portion of the lens. A second sacrificial element is formed in the opening to cover a center region of the selected portion of the lens, while a peripheral region of the selected portion of the lens remains exposed. Next, a light-shielding layer is formed on the electromagnetic interference pattern, the second sacrificial element, and the peripheral region of the selected portion of the lens. Thereafter, the second sacrificial element and the light-shielding pattern thereon are removed to expose the center region of the selected portion of the lens as a light transmitting region.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for creating optical systems and assemblies that provide increased field of view (FOV) for light detection by coupling a flip-chip light sensor directly to a condenser lens. According to certain embodiments of the invention, an optical assembly can include a condenser lens with a substantially flat surface optically contacted with a substantially flat surface of a substrate of a flip-chip light sensor. The thickness of the substrate is such that the active area of the light sensor is disposed on a focal plane of the optical system. This enables accurate light detection and increased FOV over conventional techniques.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device includes a photoelectric conversion unit that is formed on a semiconductor substrate, a reading unit that reads signal charges of the photoelectric conversion unit, a gate insulating film and an electrode disposed thereon that constitute the reading unit, a light shielding film that covers the electrode, and an antireflection film that is formed on the photoelectric conversion unit and is constituted by films of four or more layers. The film of the lower layer of the antireflection film is also used as a stopper film during patterning, and a gap between the end of the light shielding film and the semiconductor substrate which is defined by interposing a plurality of films of the lower layer of the antireflection film is set so as to be smaller than the thickness of the gate insulating film.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solid-state image pickup device that includes a pixel portion and a peripheral circuit portion, includes: forming a first insulating film in the pixel portion and the peripheral circuit portion, forming a second insulating film above the first insulating film, etching the second insulating film in photoelectric conversion elements, forming a metal film on the etched second insulating film in the photoelectric conversion elements and on the second insulating film in the peripheral circuit portion, and removing the metal film in the peripheral circuit portion and forming light-shielding films from the metal film in the photoelectric conversion elements.

Abstract: A method and optical component prevent external light reflection and increase light extraction efficiency. In one example embodiment, an optical component is provided on a light extraction side of a light-emitting panel. After a shielding film shaped like a lattice or a mesh is formed on a transparent substrate, a resist film is formed, the resist film is irradiated with ultraviolet light UV from the back side of the substrate by using the shielding film as a mask, and development is carried out, so that an optical functional element is formed. The planar shape of the undersurface of the optical functional element is the same as the planar shape of the lattice or the mesh of the shielding film, and a positioning error between the optical functional element and the shielding film becomes extremely small.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging element including a semiconductor substrate that has a light reception portion performing a photoelectric conversion of an incident light; an oxide layer that is formed on a surface of the semiconductor substrate; a light shielding layer that is formed on an upper layer further than the oxide layer via an adhesion layer; and an oxygen supply layer that is disposed between the oxide layer and the adhesion layer and is formed of a material which shows an oxidation enthalpy smaller than that of a material forming the oxide layer.

Abstract: Provided is a hetero-junction solar cell with a silicon crystalline substrate of small thickness but exhibiting less warpage, and having a high photoelectric conversion efficiency. The crystalline silicon substrate has a thickness of 50 ?m to 200 ?m, and has a rough structure on the light-incident-side surface thereof. The surface of the transparent conductive layer in the light incidence side has an irregular structure. The top-bottom distance in the irregular structure of the transparent conductive layer in the light-incidence-side is preferably smaller than the top-bottom distance in the rough structure of the crystalline silicon substrate in the-light-incidence side. The distance between tops of the projections in the irregular structure on the surface of the transparent conductive layer in the light incidence side is preferably smaller than the distance between tops of the projections in the rough structure on the surface of the crystalline silicon substrate in the light incidence side.

Abstract: A solid-state imaging device, includes: plural unit pixels including a photoelectric conversion portion converting incident light into an electrical signal, and a waveguide having a quadratic curve surface at an inner surface and introducing the incident light to the photoelectric conversion portion.

Abstract: A photoelectric conversion device comprises a high-refractive-index portion at a position close to a photoelectric conversion element therein. And, the high-refractive-index portion has first and second horizontal cross-section surfaces. The first cross-section surface is at a position closer to the photoelectric conversion element rather than the second cross-section surface, and is larger than an area of the second cross-section surface, so as to guide an incident light into the photoelectric conversion element without reflection.

Abstract: A light receiving element includes a waveguide that includes a waveguide core, a multi-mode interference waveguide that has a width larger than a width of the waveguide, the multi-mode interference waveguide receiving a first light from the waveguide core at a first end, and a photodetection portion that includes a first semiconductor layer and an absorption layer disposed on the first semiconductor layer, the first semiconductor layer including at least one layer and receiving a second light from the multi-mode interference waveguide at a second end, the absorption layer being disposed above the first semiconductor layer and absorbing the second light. A distance from the first end of the multi-mode interference waveguide to the second end of the photodetection portion is longer than 70% of a first length and shorter than 100% of the first length, the first length being a length where self-imaging occurs in the multi-mode interference waveguide.

Abstract: Light sensors including dielectric optical coatings to shape their spectral responses, and methods for fabricating such light sensors in a manner that accelerates lift-off processes and increases process margins, are described herein. In certain embodiments, a short duration soft bake is performed. Alternatively, or additionally, temperature cycling is performed. Alternatively, or additionally, photolithography is performed using a photomask that includes one or more dummy corners, dummy islands and/or dummy rings. Each of the aforementioned embodiments form and/or increase a number of micro-cracks in the dielectric optical coating not covering the photodetector sensor region, thereby enabling an accelerated lift-off process and an increased process margin. Alternatively, or additionally, a portion of the photomask can include chamfered corners so that the dielectric optical coating includes chamfered corners, which improves the thermal reliability of the dielectric optical coating.

Abstract: Solar cells, solar modules, and methods for their manufacture are disclosed. An example method may comprise forming a dielectric layer on at least one or more edges of a substrate, and then introducing dopant to at least one surface of the substrate. The substrate may be subjected to a heating process to at least drive the dopant to a predefined depth, thereby forming at least one of an emitter layer and a surface field layer. In the example method, the dielectric layer may not be removed during a subsequent manufacturing process. Associated solar cells and solar modules are also provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a semiconductor light-receiving element includes: forming a semiconductor layer structure having a one-conductivity-type semiconductor layer having a first conduction type located on a side of light incidence, an opposite-conductivity-type semiconductor layer having a second conduction type opposite to the first conduction type, and a light-absorbing layer between the one-conductivity-type semiconductor layer and the opposite-conductivity type semiconductor layer, the opposite-conductivity-type semiconductor layer having a structure in which a first semiconductor layer comprised of a binary mixed crystal, a second semiconductor layer comprised of a three-or-more-element mixed crystal, and a third semiconductor layer comprised of a three-or-more-element mixed crystal having an energy gap smaller than that of the second semiconductor layer are laminated in this order from the light incidence side; forming a metal film that is in contact with the third semiconductor layer; and performin

Abstract: Light sensors including dielectric optical coatings to shape their spectral responses, and methods for fabricating such light sensors in a manner that accelerates lift-off processes and increases process margins, are described herein. In certain embodiments, a short duration soft bake is performed. Alternatively, or additionally, temperature cycling is performed. Alternatively, or additionally, photolithography is performed using a photomask that includes one or more dummy corners, dummy islands and/or dummy rings. Each of the aforementioned embodiments form and/or increase a number of micro-cracks in the dielectric optical coating not covering the photodetector sensor region, thereby enabling an accelerated lift-off process and an increased process margin. Alternatively, or additionally, a portion of the photomask can include chamfered corners so that the dielectric optical coating includes chamfered corners, which improves the thermal reliability of the dielectric optical coating.

Abstract: An optical material is inlaid into a supporting substrate, with the top surface of the optical material flush with the top surface of the substrate, wherein the optical element is used to shape a beam of light travelling substantially parallel to the top surface of the substrate, but with the central axis of the beam below the top surface of the substrate. The optical elements serve to shape the beam of light for delivery to or from a microfabricated structure within the device.

Abstract: A solid state imaging device that includes a semiconductor substrate having a plurality of photodiodes thereon and a first wiring portion, a second wiring portion and a third wiring portion, a first wiring layer over the semiconductor substrate and which includes a plurality of metal films and extends across all the wiring portions, and a second wiring layer over the first wiring layer and which extends across the first wiring portion and the second wiring portion.

Abstract: According to example embodiments, a solar cell includes a transparent base substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface, a first photoelectric layer having a thin film shape on the first surface of the base substrate; and a second photoelectric layer having a thin film shape on the second surface of the base substrate. A bandgap of the second photoelectric layer may be different than a bandgap of the first photoelectric layer.

Abstract: A solid-state image pickup device including a pixel array having a plurality of pixels, each of which includes a photoelectric converting unit and a multilayer interference filter. The multilayer interference filter includes an upper laminated structure, a lower laminated structure, and a control structure. Both the multilayer interference filter in a first pixel and the multilayer interference filter in a second pixel which is more distant from a center of the pixel array than the first pixel are disposed to selectively guide a light having a first color to the photoelectric converting unit. The control structure in the first pixel and the control structure in the second pixel have different configurations from each other in such a manner that a filter characteristic of the multilayer interference filter in the first pixel is equivalent to that of the multilayer interference filter in the second pixel.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell including a photovoltaic layer, a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer, an insulating layer and a light-transparent conductive layer is provided. The photovoltaic layer has a first surface and a second surface. The first electrode layer having at least one gap is disposed on the first surface, wherein the at least one gap exposes a portion of the photovoltaic layer. The second electrode layer is disposed on the second surface. The insulating layer having a plurality of pores is located on the photovoltaic layer exposed by the at least one gap, wherein the holes expose a portion of the photovoltaic layer. The light-transparent conductive layer covers the insulating layer and is connected with the first electrode layer. The transparent electrode is connected with the photovoltaic layer through at least a part of the pores.

Abstract: An image detector comprises a plurality of photosensitive detector unit cells interconnected to a plurality of integrated circuits by a plurality of direct bond interconnects. Each unit cell includes an absorber layer and a separation layer. The absorber layer absorbs incident photons such that the absorbed photons excite photocurrent comprising first charged carriers and second charged carriers having opposite polarities. The separation layer separates the first charged carriers for collection at one or more first contacts and the second charged carriers for collection at one or more second contacts. The first and second contacts include the direct bond interconnects to conduct the first charged carriers and the second charged carriers from the unit cells in order to facilitate image processing.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a light emitting device includes a light emitting layer, a first electrode, a first and second layers, and a cladding layer. The first layer has a first impurity concentration of a first conductivity type, and allows a carrier to be diffused in the light emitting layer. The second layer has a second impurity concentration of the first conductivity type higher than the first impurity concentration, and includes a first and second surfaces. The first surface is with the first layer. The second surface has a formation region and a non-formation region of the first electrode. The non-formation region includes convex structures with an average pitch not more than a wavelength of the emission light. The cladding layer is provided between the first layer and the light emitting layer and has an impurity concentration of the first conductivity type.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a substrate layer and a plurality of nanowires grown outwardly from the substrate layer, at least two of the nanowires including a plurality of sub-cells. The solar cell also includes one or more light guiding layers formed of a transparent, light scattering material and filling the area between the plurality of nanowires.