Abstract:
Crystalline semiconductors have materials and ultimately device performance characteristics that far surpass that of polycrystalline or amorphous phases of these materials. Unfortunately, crystalline semiconductors such as Si and GaAs are brittle and easily damaged. This forecloses their use in many advanced applications where flexibility and conformability, and even low cost are demanded. In this talk, I will discuss methods for removing the ultrathin electronically and optically active device layers from their crystalline substrates in a cost effective manner that fully captures all of the benefits of crystalline materials, yet affords opportunities that are inaccessible to conventional crystalline materials. I will discuss several important applications of thin film epitaxial devices including their enabling of hemispherical detector arrays that mimic the size and function of the human eye, and air bridge thermal photovoltaics as a means for efficiently converting heat to electricity. This latter application enables the next generation of energy storage for renewable sources in the form of heat. Prospects for new and exciting applications of thin film single crystalline semiconductors on plastic and other flexible substrates will be discussed.