Systems and methods for light absorption and field emission using microstructured silicon
AssigneePresident and Fellows of Harvard College
InventorsEric Mazur, James Edward Carey, Catherine H. Crouch, Rebecca Jane Younkin, Claudia Wu
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Abstract
Methods and systems for absorbing infrared light, and for emitting current are described. A sample, such as a sample containing mainly silicon, is microstructured by at least one laser pulse to produce cone-like structures on the exposed surface. Such microstructuring enhances the infrared absorbing, and current emission properties of the sample.
Claims38
1-58. (canceled)
A method of emitting electrons from a sample, comprising
- structuring a surface of a semiconductor sample by applying a plurality of radiation pulses thereto, and
- applying an electric field to the structured sample so as to cause the sample to emit an electric current.
A method of generating an emitted electric current, comprising providing a semiconductor sample characterized by a turn-on field of less than about 10 V/μm, and
- applying an electric field to the sample so as to cause the sample to emit an electric current.
A system for emitting an electric current, comprising
- a semiconductor sample characterized by a turn-on field that is less than about 10 V/μm,
- an electric field generator for applying an electric field to the sample so as to cause the sample to emit an electric current, and
- a load for receiving said electric current and generating a signal in response to said received electric current.
A method of generating luminescence radiation, comprising
- applying a plurality of radiation pulses to a silicon sample in the presence of a background gas so as to generate a plurality of luminescence states in the sample, and causing said silicon sample to luminescence.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.