Central OC Times

Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have made a significant breakthrough in semiconductor technology. They have developed a method to transform silicon into a direct bandgap semiconductor, which could pave the way for ultrathin solar cells and advanced optoelectronics. This discovery has been detailed in a paper published as the cover story in ACS Nano.

The team from UC Irvine, working with scientists from Russia’s Kazan Federal University and Tel Aviv University, achieved this by altering how light interacts with silicon. Instead of changing the material itself, they conditioned the light by confining photons on sub-3-nanometer asperities near the bulk semiconductor. This process grants photons expanded momentum, enhancing their interaction with matter.

Lead author Dmitry Fishman explained that this approach allows electrons to transition efficiently between energy bands without needing additional particles like phonons. "In indirect bandgap materials, like silicon, an additional component – a phonon – is needed to provide the electron the momentum necessary for the transition to occur," he said.

Co-author Eric Potma highlighted that this method reduces interactions to just two particles: a photon and an electron. "This reduces the interaction to just two particles, a photon and an electron...and increases light absorption by a factor of 10,000," Potma noted.

Ara Apkarian added that this phenomenon fundamentally changes light-matter interactions. "Momentum-enhanced photons can change both the energy and momentum states of electrons," he stated.

The researchers believe this development could revolutionize solar energy conversion technologies by enabling thinner solar cells that are more efficient and cost-effective. Potma emphasized the urgency of shifting to renewable energy sources due to climate change impacts: "With the escalating effects of climate change, it’s more urgent than ever to shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy."

The project received financial support from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative and involved several other researchers from UC Irvine, Kazan Federal University, and Tel Aviv University.

UC Irvine's ongoing Brilliant Future campaign aims to further support such research initiatives by raising $2 billion in philanthropic investment.

For more information about UC Irvine's contributions and news updates, visit their official website or contact their media resources department.