A germanium single-crystal wafer comprises silicon with an atomic concentration of from 3×10.sup.14 atoms/cc to 10×10.sup.13 atoms/cc, boron with an atomic concentration of from 1×10.sup.16 atoms/cc to 10×10.sup.18 atoms/cc, and gallium with an atomic concentration of from 1×10.sup.16 atoms/cc to 10×10.sup.19 atoms/cc. Further provided are a method for preparing the germanium single-crystal wafer, a method for preparing a germanium single-crystal ingot, and the use of the germanium single-crystal wafer for increasing the open-circuit voltage of a solar cell. The germanium single-crystal wafer has an improved electrical property in that it has a smaller difference in resistivity and carrier concentration.

Optoelectronic devices having an improved architecture are disclosed, such as p-i-n hybrid solar cells. These solar cells are characterized by including an insulating mesoporous scaffold in between the hole transportation layer and the photoactive layer, in such a way that the photoactive layer infiltrates the insulating mesoporous scaffold and contacts the hole transportation layer. The infiltration of the photoactive layer in the mesoporous scaffold improves the performance of the hole transportation layer and increases the photovoltaic performance of the solar cell. Solar cells, according to the present invention are manufactured in their entirety below 150° C. and present advantages in terms of cost and ease of manufacture, performance, and energy efficiency, stability over time and reproducibility.

Optoelectronic devices having an improved architecture are disclosed, such as p-i-n hybrid solar cells. These solar cells are characterized by including an insulating mesoporous scaffold in between the hole transportation layer and the photoactive layer, in such a way that the photoactive layer infiltrates the insulating mesoporous scaffold and contacts the hole transportation layer. The infiltration of the photoactive layer in the mesoporous scaffold improves the performance of the hole transportation layer and increases the photovoltaic performance of the solar cell. Solar cells, according to the present invention are manufactured in their entirety below 150° C. and present advantages in terms of cost and ease of manufacture, performance, and energy efficiency, stability over time and reproducibility.

A photovoltaic device includes a first contact and a hybrid absorber layer. The hybrid absorber layer includes a chalcogenide layer and a semiconductor layer in contact with the chalcogenide layer. A buffer layer is formed on the absorber layer, and a transparent conductive contact layer is formed on the buffer layer.

A photovoltaic device includes a first contact and a hybrid absorber layer. The hybrid absorber layer includes a chalcogenide layer and a semiconductor layer in contact with the chalcogenide layer. A buffer layer is formed on the absorber layer, and a transparent conductive contact layer is formed on the buffer layer.

A transmitter of a wireless power transfer and data communication system comprising a transmitter system including a transmitter housing, one or more high-power laser sources, a laser controller, one or more low-power laser sources, one or more photodiodes, a beam steering system and lens assembly, and a safety system. High-power and low-power beams are directed to corresponding receivers and transceivers of a transceiver system inside a remote receiver system by the controller and the beam steering system and lens assembly. Low-power beams include optical communication to the transceiver system. The photodiodes of the transmitter system receive optical communication from the transceiver system. Low-power beams are co-propagated with and in close proximity to high-power beams substantially along an entire distance between the transmitter housing and the receiver system. The safety system instructs the controller to reduce the high-power sources in response to detected events.

A transmitter of a wireless power transfer and data communication system comprising a transmitter system including a transmitter housing, one or more high-power laser sources, a laser controller, one or more low-power laser sources, one or more photodiodes, a beam steering system and lens assembly, and a safety system. High-power and low-power beams are directed to corresponding receivers and transceivers of a transceiver system inside a remote receiver system by the controller and the beam steering system and lens assembly. Low-power beams include optical communication to the transceiver system. The photodiodes of the transmitter system receive optical communication from the transceiver system. Low-power beams are co-propagated with and in close proximity to high-power beams substantially along an entire distance between the transmitter housing and the receiver system. The safety system instructs the controller to reduce the high-power sources in response to detected events.

A solar cell, and methods of fabricating said solar cell, are disclosed. The solar cell can include a first emitter region over a substrate, the first emitter region having a perimeter around a portion of the substrate. A first conductive contact is electrically coupled to the first emitter region at a location outside of the perimeter of the first emitter region.

A solar cell, and methods of fabricating said solar cell, are disclosed. The solar cell can include a first emitter region over a substrate, the first emitter region having a perimeter around a portion of the substrate. A first conductive contact is electrically coupled to the first emitter region at a location outside of the perimeter of the first emitter region.

An electrode coupled double heterojunction solar cell having double active regions for photoelectric effect and method of manufacturing the same are provided. The electrode coupled double heterojunction solar cell includes a first terminal electrode, a first solar cell, a second solar cell, a common electrode structure, and a second terminal electrode. The first solar cell is connected to the first terminal electrode and includes a first PIN heterojunction structure. The second solar cell is disposed on the first solar cell and includes a second PIN heterojunction structure. The common electrode structure is disposed between the first solar cell and the second solar cell, so that the first solar cell and the second solar cell are electrically connected to each other in a parallel manner. The second terminal electrode is disposed on the second solar cell.