Thermally enhanced photoinduced electron emission from nitrogen-doped diamond films on silicon substrates

Sun, Tianze; Koeck, Franz A.; Rezikyan, Aram; Treacy, M.M.J.; Nemanich, R. J.

doi:10.1103/physrevb.90.121302

Cited by 35 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 27 publications

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“…Moreover, diamond‐based electronic devices show outstanding performance for high‐power and high‐frequency applications, due to the high breakdown field, the low dielectric constant, and the high carrier mobility . Finally, the possibility of achieving negative electron affinity (NEA) by surface hydrogenation makes diamond unique among the materials suitable for the fabrication of efficient thermionic converters …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Laser Wavelength on the Optical and Electronic Properties of Black Diamond

Girolami

Bellucci

Mastellone

et al. 2017

Physica Status Solidi (a)

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Black diamond, obtained by femtosecond laser treatment of natively transparent diamond, is a promising material for solar applications. The enhancement of the interaction between the active material and the solar spectrum is obtained by a controlled texturing of the diamond surface at the nanoscale, the impact of which on the optical and electronic properties of the bulk material is strongly influenced by the laser parameters. In this work, the properties of black diamond samples obtained by using two different laser wavelengths (400 and 800 nm) are compared, showing that texturing periodicity (80 and 170 nm, respectively) is strictly related to the laser wavelength used. Conversely, a unique optimal accumulated absorbed laser fluence (2.10 kJ/cm²) demonstrated to return the best results in terms of responsivity in the solar spectrum, regardless of the wavelength used for laser treatment

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Impact of Laser Wavelength on the Optical and Electronic Properties of Black Diamond

Girolami

Bellucci

Mastellone

et al. 2017

Physica Status Solidi (a)

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“…However, in this case the electrons are photo-excited in the metal, and then thermalize as they pass through the diamond film, which is somewhat different compared to PETE in a semiconductor substrate. Combined photoemission and PETE was observed with a p-type Si substrate covered by an n-type nitrogen doped diamond film [46], as shown in figure 8(a). The dependence of the emission rate on incident photon energy at each temperature shows that the process is not pure PETE, and has a significant contribution of photoemission.…”

Section: Diamond Cathodesmentioning

confidence: 96%

Solar energy conversion with photon-enhanced thermionic emission

Kribus

Segev

2016

J. Opt.

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Photon-enhanced thermionic emission (PETE) converts sunlight to electricity with the combined photonic and thermal excitation of charge carriers in a semiconductor, leading to electron emission over a vacuum gap. Theoretical analyses predict conversion efficiency that can match, or even exceed, the efficiency of traditional solar thermal and photovoltaic converters. Several materials have been examined as candidates for radiation absorbers and electron emitters, with no conclusion yet on the best set of materials to achieve high efficiency. Analyses have shown the complexity of the energy conversion and transport processes, and the significance of several loss mechanisms, requiring careful control of material properties and optimization of the device structure. Here we survey current research on PETE modeling, materials, and device configurations, outline the advances made, and stress the open issues and future research needed. Based on the substantial progress already made in this young topic, and the potential of high conversion efficiency based on theoretical performance limits, continued research in this direction is very promising and may yield a competitive technology for solar electricity generation.

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“…The effect provides a substantial enhancement of the emitter current density for moderate temperatures (i.e., at temperatures below the point where pure thermionic emission dominates). The PETE effect has been reported for gallium nitride:cesium surfaces and for silicon/ diamond double layer structures (Schwede et al, 2010;Sun et al, 2014). The role of surface and interface recombination has also been explored in III-V heterostructures (Schwede et al, 2013).…”

Section: Photon-enhanced Thermionic Emission (Pete)mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The creation of nanostructured emitters that take advantage of the promising properties of nanotubes and nanowires, the development of novel grid structures to minimize space-charge effects (Meir et al, 2013), molecular/ion-enhanced emission (Koeck et al, 2011), and the use of microplasmas (Go and Venkattraman, 2014) are examples of the former, while the use of photon-enhanced thermionic emission (PETE) (Schwede et al, 2010(Schwede et al, , 2013Sun et al, 2014), the efficient light-induced heating of one-dimensional materials through unusual heat localization (Heat Trap), which enable new possibilities for solar thermionics (Yaghoobi et al, 2011(Yaghoobi et al, , 2012, and the combination of the thermionic and tunneling phenomena (the field-emission heat engine) to increase efficiency (Pan et al, 2014), are examples of the latter.…”

Section: New Ideas and Areasmentioning

confidence: 99%

Thermionic Energy Conversion in the Twenty-first Century: Advances and Opportunities for Space and Terrestrial Applications

Haase

George

et al. 2017

Front. Mech. Eng.

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Thermionic energy conversion (TEC) is the direct conversion of heat into electricity by the mechanism of thermionic emission, the spontaneous ejection of hot electrons from a surface. Although the physical mechanism has been known for over a century, it has yet to be consistently realized in a manner practical for large-scale deployment. This perspective article provides an assessment of the potential of TEC systems for space and terrestrial applications in the twenty-first century, overviewing recent advances in the field and identifying key research challenges. Recent developments as well as persisting research needs in materials, device design, fundamental understanding, and testing and validation are discussed.Keywords: thermal energy conversion, thermionic energy conversion, thermionic emission, heat engine, electron emission iNTRODUCTiON The direct conversion of heat to electricity without any intermediate steps or moving parts remains one of the most promising, yet challenging, methods of power production. The promise of high conversion efficiency, device simplicity, and robust operation continues to push research and technology development at the cutting edge. Furthermore, because of the wide variety of possible heat sources, ranging from combustion of fossil or other fuels, nuclear reactors, solar heat, or even waste heat from the human body, the applications for thermal-to-electric energy convertors are vast, spanning many orders of magnitude of possible temperature and power ranges.Thermionic energy conversion (TEC) for direct conversion of heat to electrical energy occurs when electrons thermally emit from a hot surface, traverse a gap, and are collected by another surface. This process, starting with thermionic emission, produces a current of electrons that can subsequently drive an electrical load to produce work. Particularly well suited for high-temperature applications, since it was first proposed by Schlichter (1915), thermionic emission has been pursued as a power generation method for over a century Gyftopoulos, 1973, 1979), yet has seldom been realized in either space or terrestrial applications. However, recent advances in material science and nanotechnology as well as our evolving understanding of the underlying physical processes afford new opportunities to develop practical thermionic convertors, reinvigorating the field. Thermionic energy conversion has a long and storied history, particularly in the space programs of the United States and the former Soviet Union. However, while the field was vibrant and much progress was made during the 1960s through 1980s, including space flight demonstrations, TEC has largely been supplanted by alternative energy conversion technologies, specifically thermoelectrics and photovoltaics, in both the public and research community consciences. Much of thermionic-based research tapered off after a 2001 report by the National Research Council titled Thermionics Quo Vadis? An Assessment of the DTRA's Advanced Thermionics Research and Development Program (Na...

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Thermally enhanced photoinduced electron emission from nitrogen-doped diamond films on silicon substrates

Cited by 35 publications

References 27 publications

Impact of Laser Wavelength on the Optical and Electronic Properties of Black Diamond

Impact of Laser Wavelength on the Optical and Electronic Properties of Black Diamond

Solar energy conversion with photon-enhanced thermionic emission

Thermionic Energy Conversion in the Twenty-first Century: Advances and Opportunities for Space and Terrestrial Applications

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