Amorphous silicon carbide high contrast gratings as highly efficient spectrally selective visible reflectors.

We report spectrally selective visible wavelength reflectors using hydrogenated amorphous silicon carbide (a-SiC:H) as a high index contrast material. Beyond 610nm and through the near infrared spectrum, a-SiC:H exhibits very low loss and exhibits an wavelength averaged index of refraction of n = 3.1.

Silicon Heterojunction Microcells.

We report the design, fabrication, and characterization of silicon heterojunction microcells, a new type of photovoltaic cell that leverages high-efficiency bulk wafers in a microscale form factor, while also addressing the challenge of passivating microcell sidewalls to mitigate carrier recombination. We present synthesis methods exploiting either dry etching or laser cutting to realize microcells with native oxide-based edge passivation. Measured microcell performance for both fabrication processes is compared to that in simulations.