Simultaneous transmission, detection, and energy harvesting

Area of Science:

• Optoelectronics and Photonics
• Semiconductor Devices
• Materials Science

Background:

• III-nitride diodes possess electro-optic properties enabling light transmission, detection, and energy harvesting.
• Integrating these functions onto a single chip using III-nitride diode arrays offers potential for multifunctional devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To monolithically integrate a III-nitride transmitter, receiver, and energy harvester on a single chip.
• To demonstrate simultaneous light transmission, detection, and energy harvesting capabilities.
• To showcase a self-powered, multifunctional optoelectronic system.

Main Methods:

• Monolithic integration of III-nitride transmitter, receiver, and energy harvester using a compatible foundry process.
• Utilized a bottom SiO2/TiO2 distributed Bragg reflector for enhanced performance.
• Integrated circuitry to enable self-powered operation and information relay.

Main Results:

• Achieved a peak external quantum efficiency of 50.65% for light emission at 2.6 V.
• Demonstrated a power conversion efficiency of 6.68% for energy harvesting.
• Obtained a peak external quantum efficiency of 50.9% for photon detection at 388 nm.
• The energy harvester powered the transmitter, and the receiver controlled the transmitter's light pulses for information relay.

Conclusions:

• The developed III-nitride diode system can simultaneously transmit, detect, and harvest light, enabling self-powered operation.
• This work presents a promising approach for creating multicomponent systems with new interactive functions and multitasking devices.
• The monolithic integration offers a pathway towards advanced, self-sufficient optoelectronic systems.