Thursday, February 19, 2009

(WO/2009/023778) OPTICAL RECTIFICATION DEVICE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME


Latest bibliographic data on file with the International Bureau
Pub. No.:
WO/2009/023778
International Application No.:
PCT/US2008/073175
Publication Date:19.02.2009 International Filing Date:14.08.2008
IPC: H01G 9/20 (2006.01)
Applicants:WILLIAM MARSH RICE UNIVERSITY [US/US]; 6100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77005 (US) (All Except US).
SCHMIDT, Howard, K. [US/US]; (US) (US Only).
DUQUE, Juan [US/US]; (US) (US Only).
Inventors:SCHMIDT, Howard, K.; (US).
DUQUE, Juan; (US).
Agent:SHADDOX, Robert, C.; Winstead Pc, P.o. Box 50784, Dallas, TX 75201 (US).
Priority Data:
60/955,816
14.08.2007
US
Title: OPTICAL RECTIFICATION DEVICE AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

(Click pic to enlarge)
Abstract:
A general approach is provided for producing devices that absorb optical photons (visible to near IR) and performs charge separation with a useful voltage between holes and electrons. These holes and electrons may be collected in electrodes for performing useful work outside the device. The described technology is generally based upon rectification of plasmons (collective electric excitations) generated by absorbing light with tuned metallic antennas. According to some embodiments, the present invention provides a spatial array of nanoscale conductors forming an optical rectenna that responds to an incident light source and generates a current offset that may be rectified by a rectification-inducing material. The present inventors foresee an extensive use of these optical rectennas as photovoltaic devices, as well as a wide interest in diverse fundamental research and applied technologies.
Designated States: AE, AG, AL, AM, AO, AT, AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, GT, HN, HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP, KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, MZ, NA, NG, NI, NO, NZ, OM, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, RU, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TJ, TM, TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW.
African Regional Intellectual Property Org. (ARIPO) (BW, GH, GM, KE, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW)
Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM)
European Patent Office (EPO) (AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HR, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, TR)
African Intellectual Property Organization (OAPI) (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG).
Publication Language:English (EN)
Filing Language:English (EN)

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An optical rectification device, comprising:

a plurality of optically responsive members, each optically responsive member comprising:

an optical antenna; and

a diode comprising a layer disposed over the nanostructure, the layer comprising a rectification-inducing material.

Source