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Hot Carrier Transport and Carrier Multiplication Induced High Performance Vertical Graphene/Silicon Dynamic Diode
Yanghua Lu1, Runjiang Shen1, Xutao Yu1
1College of Microelectronics, College of Information Science and Electronic Engineering, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310027, P. R. China.
Summary
This study introduces a graphene/silicon dynamic diode generator that significantly boosts output voltage and current by utilizing hot carrier transport. This innovation offers a promising portable energy source for harvesting mechanical energy.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Energy Harvesting
- Semiconductor Physics
Background:
- Dynamic semiconductor diode generators (DDGs) are promising portable energy sources but suffer from low output voltage (0.1-1 V).
- Inefficient carrier transport and collection limit DDG performance, necessitating improved semiconductor physical understanding and device design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a vertical graphene/silicon dynamic semiconductor diode generator (DDG) for enhanced performance.
- To investigate hot carrier transport and collection mechanisms for voltage regulation in DDGs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of a vertical graphene/silicon heterostructure for DDG applications.
- Utilizing the instant contact and separation of graphene and silicon to generate hot carriers via built-in electric fields.
- Exploiting graphene's ultralong hot electron lifetime for efficient carrier collection.
Main Results:
- A monolayer graphene/silicon DDG achieved a high output voltage of 6.1 V due to ultrafast carrier transport.
- A significant current of 235.6 nA was generated, attributed to carrier multiplication in graphene.
- Series connection of devices yielded a 17.5 V output, demonstrating potential for powering electronic systems.
Conclusions:
- The developed graphene/silicon DDG effectively overcomes the low-voltage limitation of conventional DDGs.
- This technology presents a viable in situ energy source for harvesting ambient mechanical energy.
- The device shows promise for integration into self-powered electronic systems.
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