Nanowires (NWs) represent model systems for studying a variety of low dimensional phenomena as well as building blocks for the future generation of nanoscale devices. A especially interesting application of NWs concerns the realization of solar cells. In this case, the advantage of NWs relies on the possibility of absorbing the light along the NW axis and obtaining electron-hole transport across the diameter, which enables a much more efficient collection.

We present our results on III-V NWs grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). MBE represents a model system, as it provides the possibility of obtaining ultra-pure materials and the fabrication of a manifold of heterostructures that may help engineer the solar radiation in the device. Our talk will start by presenting how the NWs are grown and what kind of radial and axial heterostructures can be obtained with this technique. As an example, we will show how quantum wells and Stranski-Krastanov quantum dots can be obtained on the NW facets. Structural and functional characterization of the structures will be presented. Then we will move to the central topic, which is the fabrication of nanowire based solar cells. Both, devices based on one single NW and NW arrays will be presented.


Seminar, June 6, 2011, 15:00. Seminar Room

Hosted by Prof. Lluis Torner