Highly ordered GaN-based nanowire arrays grown on patterned (100) silicon and their optical properties.

Arrays of GaN-based nanowires have been synthesized on patterned silicon without a catalyst. The spatial density, length and average radius of the nanowires can be well-controlled. The GaN core contains two semipolar facets and a controllable polar facet. The nanowire heterostructures exhibit excellent laser behavior.

Enhanced performance of InGaN/GaN based solar cells with an In(0.05)Ga(0.95)N ultra-thin inserting layer between GaN barrier and In(0.2)Ga(0.8)N well.

The effect of ultra-thin inserting layer (UIL) on the photovoltaic performances of InGaN/GaN solar cells is investigated. With UIL implemented, the open-circuit voltage was increased from 1.4 V to 1.7 V, short-circuit current density was increased by 65% and external quantum efficiency was increased by 59%, compared to its counterparts at room temperature under 1-sun AM1.5G illumination. The improvements in electrical and photovoltaic properties are mainly attributed to the UIL which can boost the crystal quality and alleviate strain. Moreover, it can act as a transition layer for higher indium incorporation and an effective light sub-absorption layer in multiple quantum wells.