The solar cell structure according to the present invention comprises a nanowire (205) that constitutes the light absorbing part of the solar cell structure and a passivating shell (209) that encloses at least a portion of the nanowire (205). In a first aspect of the invention, the passivating shell (209) of comprises a light guiding shell (210), which preferably has a high- and indirect bandgap to provide light guiding properties. In a second aspect of the invention, the solar cell structure comprises a plurality of nanowires which are positioned with a maximum spacing between adjacent nanowires which is shorter than the wavelength of the light which the solar cell structure is intended to absorbing order to provide an effective medium for light absorption. Thanks to the invention it is possible to provide high efficiency solar cell structures.

Embodiments of the disclosure provide a structure with a guard ring between the terminals of a single photon avalanche diode photodetector (SPAD), and related methods. A structure according to the disclosure includes a SPAD with an anode within a doped well and a cathode within the doped well. A guard ring includes a semiconductor material within the doped well. The semiconductor material and the doped well have opposite doping polarities.

A photodetector includes a photodiode that has a germanium junction formed between an n-doped region and a p-doped region. The germanium junction is formed to have an input interface at a light input end of the germanium junction. The input interface has a substantially flat shape or a convex-faceted shape. The photodetector also includes an input waveguide connected to the input interface of the germanium junction. The input waveguide has a substantially linear shape along a lengthwise centerline of the input waveguide. The input waveguide is oriented so that the lengthwise centerline of the input waveguide is positioned at a non-zero angle relative to input interface of the germanium junction.

A photovoltaic module (12) ensures a highly durable, integrally bonded sealing of the interior (18) of the tube (16). The photo-voltaic module (12) is easy and cost-effective to produce and the efficiency of the photovoltaic module (12) in relation to the effective area for energy conversion is not compromised or is only negligibly compromised. The photovoltaic module (12) is very low-maintenance and has a long service life. Furthermore, the photovoltaic module (12) can be arranged with respect to a plurality of photovoltaic modules (12) arranged in parallel and can form a solar module formed for example from 20 photovoltaic modules (12).

The present disclosure provides a photo sensing device and a method for forming a photo sensing device. The photo sensing device includes a substrate, a photosensitive member, a superlattice layer and a diffusion barrier structure. The substrate includes a silicon layer at a front surface. The photosensitive member extends into and at least partially surrounded by the silicon layer, wherein an upper portion of the photosensitive member protruding from the silicon layer has a top surface and a facet tapering toward the top surface. The superlattice layer is disposed between the photosensitive member and the silicon layer. The diffusion barrier structure is disposed at a first side of the photosensitive member and a bottom of the diffusion barrier structure is at a level below a top surface of the silicon layer, wherein at least a portion of the diffusion barrier structure is laterally surrounded by the silicon layer.

The present disclosure relates to a solar cell, a preparation method thereof, and a photovoltaic module. The solar cell includes a semiconductor substrate, passivating contact structures, a dielectric layer, and first electrodes. The semiconductor substrate includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to each other. The semiconductor substrate includes passivation regions and passivated contact regions, which are alternately arranged along a first direction. The first direction is perpendicular to a thickness direction of the semiconductor substrate. The passivating contact structures are disposed on the second surface and correspondingly disposed on the passivated contact regions. Each passivating contact structure includes an electrically conductive passivation layer. The dielectric layer at least covers the second surface in the passivation regions. The first electrodes are disposed on the passivating contact structures at a side away from the semiconductor substrate. Each passivating contact structure is provided with at least one first electrode.

A solar cell includes polysilicon P-type and N-type doped regions on a backside of a substrate, such as a silicon wafer. A trench structure separates the P-type doped region from the N-type doped region. Each of the P-type and N-type doped regions may be formed over a thin dielectric layer. The trench structure may include a textured surface for increased solar radiation collection. Among other advantages, the resulting structure increases efficiency by providing isolation between adjacent P-type and N-type doped regions, thereby preventing recombination in a space charge region where the doped regions would have touched.

A lighting system can include a lightguide having an edge and two major surfaces. The lightguide can be mounted in a frame so that one of the major surfaces faces towards an area to be illuminated, while the other major surface faces away from the area. LEDs can couple light into the lightguide edge, with the coupled light emitting from both major surfaces. Light emitted from the major surface that faces away from the area to be illuminated can be reflected back into the lightguide by a reflective surface. The reflective surface can be separated from the lightguide by an air gap. The air gap can promote internal reflection at the major surface facing away from the area to be illuminated, thereby enhancing homogeneity and output of light towards the area to be illuminated. The frame can include integral wireways, reflector retention clips, and grounding circuitry.

A solar cell using a printed circuit board (PCB) includes a substrate that is formed of an insulating material and in and through which a plurality of fixing holes and communication holes are alternately formed; a plurality of photoelectric effect generators that have ball or polyhedral shapes fixed to the substrate to be disposed over the plurality of fixing holes, and generate photoelectric effects by receiving light through light-receiving portions that are exposed to an upper portion of the substrate; a plurality of upper electrodes that are formed on a top surface of the substrate, and are connected to the respective light-receiving portions of the photoelectric effect generators; and a plurality of lower electrodes that are formed on a bottom surface of the substrate to be connected to respective non-light-receiving portions of the photoelectric effect generators, and communicate with the plurality of upper electrodes through the plurality of communication holes.

A graphene device and a method of operating the same are provided. The graphene device includes: an active layer including a plurality of meta atoms spaced apart from each other, each of the meta atoms having a radial shape, and a graphene layer that contacts each of the plurality of meta atoms; and a dielectric layer covering the active layer.