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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Device for conversion of electromagnetic radiation into electrical current

Patent ·
OSTI ID:863933

Electromagnetic energy may be converted directly into electrical energy by a device comprising a sandwich of at least two semiconductor portions, each portion having a p-n junction with a characteristic energy gap, and the portions lattice matched to one another by an intervening superlattice structure. This superlattice acts to block propagation into the next deposited portion of those dislocation defects which can form due to lattice mismatch between adjacent portions.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
EG-77-C-01-4042
Assignee:
United States of America as represented by United States (Washington, DC)
Patent Number(s):
US 4278474
OSTI ID:
863933
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English