Charge carrier separation device and method for generating an electrical voltage and / or an electrical current

Abstract

Load carrier separating device (100), comprising: a material layer (110) configured to generate charge carrier pairs in response to electromagnetic radiation when it strikes the material layer (110); a magnet unit (140) for providing a magnetic field in the material layer (110) for influencing generated charge carrier pairs within the material layer (110); wherein the magnet unit (140) comprises one or more permanent magnets and / or one or more electromagnets; one or more first barrier electrodes (120), wherein the one or more first barrier electrodes (120) are configured to provide one or more first potential barriers in the material layer (110) for charge carriers of a first type (221); and one or more second barrier electrodes (130), wherein the one or more second barrier electrodes (130) are configured to provide one or more second potential barriers in the material layer (110) for charge carriers of a second type (222), wherein the material layer (110), the magnet unit (140), the one or more first barrier electrodes (120) and the one or more second barrier electrodes (130) are configured such that a spatial charge carrier separation of charge carriers of the first type (221) and charge carriers of the second type (222) occurs in the material layer (110), and wherein the one or more first barrier electrodes (120) and the one or more second barrier electrodes (130) are not electrically conductively connected to the material layer (110).

Description

[0001] Various embodiments relate to a device for separating charge carriers and a method for generating a voltage and / or an electric current.

[0002] In general, charge carrier pairs can be generated in solar cells using electromagnetic radiation. An (effective) electric field and / or a magnetic field (or a magnetic field) can be used to separate the generated charge carrier pairs. Charge carrier separation can result in losses in yield (e.g., power, electric current, electric voltage, number of separated charge carriers, etc.). For example, these losses can reduce the maximum achievable power of the solar cell. The losses can, for example, be too large to ensure economical operation of the solar cell due to imperfections within the respective material. When using a magnetic field for charge separation, additional geometric restrictions may be necessary (e.g., to enable directed transport in edge channels).Therefore, only comparatively few materials, such as graphene, are suitable for charge separation using a magnetic field. However, producing graphene in suitable geometries, e.g., to achieve a high yield (e.g., relative to an irradiated area), can be technically very complex.

[0003] The (electrical) yield of conventional solar cells can also be limited by an energy gap (also known as a band gap, bandgap, or gap) (see, for example, the Schockley-Queisser limit). Furthermore, the bandgap can dictate a minimum frequency or a maximum wavelength for the incident electromagnetic radiation. For example, below the minimum frequency (or above the maximum wavelength), the energy of the incident electromagnetic radiation may be insufficient to generate charge carrier pairs.

[0004] In "Effects of intensity of magnetic field generated by neodymium permanent magnet sheets on electrical characteristics of monocrystalline silicon solar cell" (doi: 10.11591 / ijeecs.v21.i1.pp18-27), P. Panmuang and C. Photong disclose the effects a magnetic field can have on the electronic characteristics of a solar cell. US 2012 / 0 145 243 A1 discloses a method for amplifying boost conversion components that can be used in solar cells. US 2012 / 0 305 063 A1 discloses back-contact solar cells. DE 11 2012 003 329 T5 discloses a tandem solar cell that can have a graphene interlayer. US 2005 / 0 092 897 A1 discloses a method and corresponding device for determining the phase and / or amplitude data of an electromagnetic wave.

[0005] In “Magnetic Micro Sensors with Two Magnetic Field Effect Transistors Fabricated Using the Commercial Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor Process” (doi: https: / / doi.org / 10.3390 / s20174731), Wei-Ren Chen et al. disclose the fabrication and characterization of a magnetic microsensor with two magnetic field effect transistors based on the commercial CMOS process.

[0006] According to various aspects, a method and a device are provided by means of which charge carrier pairs can be generated and separated by means of an (e.g. inhomogeneous) electric field and at least one magnetic field.

[0007] According to various aspects, a method and apparatus are provided that can optimize the separation of the charge carrier pairs, e.g., by changing one or more characteristics of at least one magnetic and / or at least one electric field.

[0008] According to various aspects, a method and a device are provided by means of which a radiation energy can be converted into an electric current using an (e.g. inhomogeneous) electric field and at least one magnetic field.

[0009] According to various aspects, a method and apparatus are provided that can optimize charge carrier separation to one or more wavelengths of incident radiation.

[0010] According to various aspects, a method and a device are provided by means of which energy conversion with a high degree of efficiency can be enabled at low material costs in a wide spectral range.

[0011] According to various aspects, a solar cell is provided which, through a suitable combination of a magnetic field and an inhomogeneous (effective) electric field, can be used to achieve a separation of charge carriers in a material layer. According to various aspects, the material layer can comprise or consist of graphene. It should be noted that the material graphene, with its electrical properties, is suitable for use in the charge carrier separation device described herein, but that other materials, e.g., with similar electrical properties to graphene (e.g., electronically two-dimensional materials), can also be used in an analogous manner.

[0012] According to various aspects, electric field geometries for separating charge carriers in graphene are provided, which can be used to direct charge carriers to a respective contact and thus generate an electric current and / or an electric voltage.

[0013] According to various aspects, a method and a device are provided which, by a modification (e.g., an external modification) of an electric field and / or a magnetic field, can influence movement paths of charge carriers (e.g., also referred to as paths of charge carriers) of the generated charge carrier pairs in order to adapt them to an energy of a radiation which is used to generate the charge carrier pairs and thus to optimize a yield (e.g., an electric current).

[0014] According to various aspects, various embodiments of a charge carrier separation device are described herein. For example, charge carrier pairs can be generated in a material layer by means of excitation (e.g., by electromagnetic radiation or a chemical reaction). By means of an inhomogeneous electric field, which can be in the form of electric potential barriers, for example, and by means of a magnetic field, charge carriers of a first type can be directed into a first collection region and charge carriers of a second type into a second collection region of the material layer. Collecting electrodes can be arranged in the respective collecting regions in order to discharge the respective collected charge carriers and utilize electrical energy. For example, an electric current can be generated between the collecting electrodes and / or an electrical voltage can be tapped.For example, an electrical voltage (also referred to as voltage for short) can be an open-circuit voltage, a clamping voltage, and / or an operating voltage. For example, the charge carrier separation device can be used in an electrical circuit as a DC current source and / or as a DC voltage source.

[0015] According to various aspects, the charge carrier separation devices described in various examples can each be used as a solar cell for converting electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy. According to other aspects, the charge carrier separation devices described in various examples can each be used as a cell for converting chemical energy into electrical energy.

[0016] Various exemplary embodiments are shown in the figures and are explained in more detail below.

[0017] It shows Fig. 1A to 7E each show different aspects or partial aspects of a charge carrier separation device for separating charge carriers; and Fig. 8 a method for separating charge carrier pairs, according to various aspects.

[0018] In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. In this regard, directional terminology such as "top," "bottom," "front," "back," "fore," "rear," etc., will be used with reference to the orientation of the described figure(s). Since components of embodiments can be positioned in a number of different orientations, the directional terminology is for purposes of illustration and is in no way limiting. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural or logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.It is understood that the features of the various exemplary embodiments described herein may be combined with one another unless specifically stated otherwise. The following description is therefore not to be construed in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims.

[0019] According to various aspects, charge carrier pairs can be generated in one (or more) material layers. Each charge carrier pair can consist of a charge carrier of a first type and a charge carrier of a second type. For example, a charge carrier of the first type can be positively charged and a charge carrier of the second type can be negatively charged, or vice versa. For example, a charge carrier pair can be an electron-hole pair. For example, the charge carrier pairs can arise in response to irradiation of the material layer with electromagnetic radiation. For example, it may be necessary for the energy of the radiation to be greater than the band gap of the material of the material layer in order to generate a charge carrier pair in the material layer.

[0020] According to various aspects, the material layer can comprise or consist of graphene. For example, the band gap of graphene can be neglected, whereby, compared to silicon, electromagnetic radiation with lower energy (e.g., from the infrared range) can also be used to generate charge carrier pairs. For example, the energy available to generate a charge carrier pair can influence the kinetic energy of the generated charge carriers. For example, first charge carrier pairs can be generated by a first radiation and second charge carrier pairs by a second radiation. For example, an energy of the first radiation can differ from an energy of the second radiation.For example, the first energy can be greater than the second, which can result in the kinetic energy of the charge carriers in the first charge carrier pair being greater than the kinetic energy of the charge carriers in the second charge carrier pair. For example, a charge carrier can release kinetic energy to create additional charge carrier pairs.

[0021] According to various aspects, an inhomogeneous electric field can be generated in the material layer. The inhomogeneous electric field can have one or more (electrical) potential barriers and / or can be described by means of these (and their position). It is understood that each of the one or more potential barriers can be understood as a local maximum or a local minimum expression of an electric field strength. In general, charge carriers can be influenced by the electric field, in particular by the one or more potential barriers (e.g., deflected, reflected, accelerated, decelerated, repelled, attracted, etc.). For example, the one or more potential barriers within the material layer can be generated by means of one or more barrier electrodes and / or one or more dopants.

[0022] Barrier electrodes (or gate electrodes) can be used to describe electrodes that do not have electrically conductive contact with the material layer or that are not electrically conductively connected to the material layer. For example, one or more first barrier electrodes can be configured to generate one or more first potential barriers. For example, the charge carriers of the first type can be influenced by the one or more first potential barriers. Analogously, one or more second potential barriers can be generated by one or more second barrier electrodes and influence charge carriers of the second type. Illustratively, a negatively charged barrier electrode can generate a negative potential barrier in the material layer. Negative charge carriers (e.g. electrons) that encounter the negative potential barrier can be deflected (e.g. reflected) by the negative potential barrier.Analogously, a positively charged barrier electrode can generate at least one positive potential barrier that can redirect positive charge carriers. For example, an electric field strength of a potential barrier can be more than 10 V / m (e.g., more than 20 V / m, 30 V / m, 40 V / m, 50 V / m, 75 V / m, 100 V / m, 200 V / m, 500 V / m, 1 kV / m, 1.5 V / m, 2 kV / m, 5 kV / m, or more than 10 kV / m). For example, a potential barrier can generally be generated and / or designed (e.g., shaped, controlled, etc.) using a single barrier electrode and / or a group of multiple barrier electrodes. Thus, for example, a potential barrier can be adapted to a specific implementation.

[0023] For example, one or more dopants (e.g. in the form of doping atoms) can be introduced into the material layer in such a way (e.g. at a depth, and / or in a geometry, and / or with a concentration) as to create one or more doped regions (also referred to as doping regions) in the material layer. The one or more doped regions can create one or more potential barriers in the material layer. For example, one or more first dopants can be used to create one or more first potential barriers. For example, one or more second dopants can be used to create one or more second potential barriers. The first dopants can be different from the second dopants.It is understood that dopants and barrier electrodes can be combined in a suitable manner, for example, to increase the efficiency of a charge carrier separation device. For example, barrier electrodes can be arranged above and / or alternately with doping regions. For example, one or more of the following elements can be used for doping: boron, aluminum, gallium, indium, thallium, nitrogen, phosphorus, arsenic, antimony, and / or bismuth. For example, a concentration of more than 1 dopant atom per 10 3 atoms in the material layer (e.g. more than 1 doping atom per 10 4 atoms, more than 1 doping atom per 10 5 atoms, more than 1 doping atom per 10 6 atoms, more than 1 doping atom per 10 7 atoms, or more than 1 doping atom per 10 8 atoms).

[0024] According to various aspects, a magnetic field can be provided in the material layer. For example, one or more magnets can be arranged directly on the material layer or in the vicinity (i.e., not directly on) the material layer such that a suitable magnetic field is present in the material layer. The magnetic field can have one or more characteristics, e.g., a magnetic field strength, a magnetic fluence, a magnetic flux density. It is understood that certain characteristics of the magnetic field (as well as the electric field) can be location-dependent and direction-dependent (e.g., a magnetic field strength). For example, the magnetic field (or a component of the magnetic field perpendicular to the material layer) can have a magnetic flux density of more than 0.1 T, e.g., more than 0.2 T, 0.3 T, 0.4 T, 0.5 T, 0.6 T, 0.7 T, 0.8 T, 0.9 T, 1.0 T, or more than 1.5 T.

[0025] According to various aspects, charge carriers within the material layer can be deflected by the magnetic field (e.g., by a homogeneous magnetic field onto a circular path). It is understood that charge carriers of the first type are deflected in a different direction than charge carriers of the second type. Illustratively, for example, positive charges can be deflected to the right and negative charges to the left. Furthermore, it is understood that the radius of a trajectory path of a deflected charge carrier can depend on its absolute charge, its kinetic energy, its direction of movement relative to the magnetic field, and a (time-dependent) strength (and / or orientation) of the magnetic field (e.g., at the position of the charge carrier).

[0026] According to various aspects, the inhomogeneous electric field and the magnetic field can be superimposed in the material layer. Moving charge carriers can be influenced (e.g., deflected) by a component of the magnetic field that is perpendicular to the material layer (and thus to a direction of movement of the charge carriers). Therefore, the magnetic field should preferably be arranged substantially perpendicular (e.g., at an angle between 60° and 120°, 70° and 110°, 80° and 100°, or between 85° and 95°) to the material layer. If the magnetic field is not perpendicular (e.g., not exactly at an angle of 90°) to the material layer, electric charge carriers can be influenced by a so-called effective magnetic field. The effective magnetic field can correspond to a component of the magnetic field that is (or is arranged) perpendicular to the material layer.The effective magnetic field can depend on the angle between the (applied total) magnetic field and the material layer. For example, the effective magnetic field (illustratively, a component of the magnetic field perpendicular to the material layer) can have a smaller magnetic flux density than the total magnetic field (in the sense of a comparison of the absolute values ​​of the total magnetic field and the effective magnetic field at the same location). For ease of understanding, in this description, the term "magnetic field" or "magnetic field" refers to the effective magnetic field.

[0027] Moving charge carriers can be influenced (e.g. deflected) by a component of the electric field that is parallel to the material layer (and thus to a direction of movement of the charge carriers). Preferably, the electric field should therefore be essentially parallel (e.g. at an angle between -30° and 30°, -20° and 20°, -10° and 10°, or between -5° and 5°) to the material layer. If the electric field is not parallel (e.g. not exactly at an angle of 0°) to the material layer, electric charge carriers can be influenced by a so-called effective electric field. The effective electric field can correspond to a component of the electric field that is parallel to the material layer. The effective electric field can depend on the angle between the electric field and the material layer.For example, the effective electric field (illustratively, the component of the electric field parallel to the material layer) may have a smaller electric field strength than the total electric field (in the sense of a comparison of the absolute values ​​of the total electric field and the effective electric field at the same location). For ease of understanding, the electric field is referred to as the effective electric field in this description.

[0028] The generated charge carriers can move along paths within the material layer. The magnetic field can deflect the charge carriers of the first and second types in different directions.

[0029] For example, the charge carriers of the first type can be deflected towards one of the one or more first potential barriers. If the first charge carrier interacts with the first potential barrier, the first charge carrier can be deflected away from the potential barrier. The first charge carrier can move away from the first potential barrier. Due to the effect of the magnetic field, the first charge carrier can be deflected back towards the first potential barrier on a circular path, and so on. Illustratively, the first charge carrier bounces off the first potential barrier and is then deflected back towards the potential barrier by the magnetic field. Through this process, the first charge carrier can be guided along a path, which can have one or more partial circular paths, to a first collection area for first charge carriers.For example, the path can depend on a radius of the respective partial orbits (and thus on the magnetic field, a kinetic energy, an absolute charge and a direction of the charge carrier) as well as the respective potential barrier.

[0030] It is understood that, analogously to the one first charge carrier described, a plurality of charge carriers can be guided to one or more first collection regions by means of one or more first potential barriers. Furthermore, a plurality of second charge carriers can be guided to one or more second collection regions by means of one or more second potential barriers.

[0031] Various aspects of a charge carrier separation device are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For better understanding and clarity of the accompanying drawings, only a selection of one or more first electrodes and / or one or more second electrodes may be shown in exemplary arrangements.

[0032] The Fig. 1A to 1J schematically show various possible arrangements of a charge separation device according to various aspects from different perspectives.

[0033] Fig. 1A schematically shows a plan view of the charge carrier separation device 100. The charge carrier separation device 100 may include a material layer 110. The material layer 110 may be suitable for generating charge carrier pairs. For example, the material layer 110 may be configured such that charge carrier pairs are generated in the material layer 110 by an interaction with electromagnetic radiation (e.g., ultraviolet light, infrared light, visible light, and / or ionizing radiation) with the material layer 110. For example, the material layer 110 may include one or more materials. For example, at least one of the one or more materials may be adapted to one of one or more wavelengths of the incident electromagnetic radiation. For example, the material layer 110 may include graphene or consist of graphene. For example, the material layer 110 may be doped.

[0034] The charge carrier separation device 100 may include one or more first barrier electrodes 120. The one or more first barrier electrodes 120 may be configured to create one or more first potential barriers in the material layer 110 for charge carriers of a first type (which may also be referred to as first charge carriers for short). For example, the charge carriers of the first type may have a positive charge or a negative charge. The charge carrier separation device 100 may include one or more second barrier electrodes 130. The one or more second barrier electrodes 130 may be configured to create one or more second potential barriers in the material layer 110 for charge carriers of a second type (which may also be referred to as second charge carriers for short). For example, the charge carriers of the second type may have a charge that is opposite to the charge of the charge carriers of the first type.For example, an amount of charge of the charge carriers of the first type may differ from an amount of charge of the charge carriers of the second type, e.g., by more than 10% (e.g., by more than 30%, 50%, or more than 100%), or be substantially the same, e.g., differ by less than 10% (e.g., by less than 5%, 2%, 1%, 0.5%, or less than 0.1%). For example, the charge carriers of the second type may have a negative charge or a positive charge.

[0035] Fig. 1B schematically shows the charge carrier separation device 100 in a side view. The one or more first barrier electrodes 120 and the one or more second barrier electrodes 130 can be arranged above the material layer 110. For example, the one or more first and second barrier electrodes 120 and 130 can be electrically separated (e.g., electrically insulated) from the material layer 110. For example, the respective barrier electrodes can have no direct electrically conductive contact with the charge carriers of the first and second types, respectively. For example, the one or more first and second barrier electrodes 120 and 130 can be electrically separated (or insulated) from the material layer 110 by means of an insulation layer 150. For example, the insulation layer 150 can comprise one or more electrically non-conductive materials (e.g., with an electrical conductivity of less than 10 -8S / cm) (e.g., with a mass percentage or volume percentage of more than 50%) or consist thereof. For example, the insulating layer 150 can be an air gap. For example, the insulating layer 150 can be a glass layer. For example, the insulating layer 150 can comprise or consist of silicon oxide. Preferably, the insulating layer 150 should be transparent to electromagnetic radiation (e.g., more than 25%, 50%, 75%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or more than 99%). For example, the insulating layer 150 can be transparent to one or more predetermined wavelengths.

[0036] Furthermore, the charge carrier separation device 100 may comprise a magnet unit 140. The magnet unit may be configured to provide a magnetic field or a magnetic field in the material layer 110. For example, the magnet unit 140 may be arranged on a side of the material layer 110 opposite the one or more first and second barrier electrodes 120 and 130, respectively.

[0037] In the Fig. 1C to 1L show further exemplary arrangements of a respective charge carrier separation device 100. The respective illustrated charge carrier separation device 100 may comprise one or more first barrier electrodes 120, one or more second barrier electrodes, and one or more magnet units 140. Fig. 1C, Fig. 1E, Fig. 1G are exemplary top views and in the Fig. 1D, 1F, 1H to 1L each illustrate an exemplary side view of a charge carrier separation device 100 according to various aspects.

[0038] Fig. 1C and Fig. 1D show, by way of example, a charge carrier separation device 100 according to various aspects. For example, the one or more first barrier electrodes and the one or more second barrier electrodes 130 can be arranged on one side of the material layer 110. Illustratively, for example, the Fig. 1A and Fig. 1B as an excerpt from the Fig. 1C or 1D can be understood.

[0039] Fig. 1E and Fig. 1F illustrate, by way of example, a charge carrier separation device 100 according to various aspects. For example, the plurality of first barrier electrodes 120 may be arranged on a first side of the material layer 110. For example, the plurality of second barrier electrodes 130 may be arranged on a second side of the material layer 110. For example, the first side may be different from the second side. For example, the second side may be arranged opposite the first side.

[0040] Fig. 1G, Fig. 1H and Fig. 1I illustrate, by way of example, a charge carrier separation device 100 according to various aspects. For example, one group of the plurality of first barrier electrodes 120 and one group of the plurality of second barrier electrodes 120 may be arranged on a first side of the material layer 110. For example, another group of the plurality of first barrier electrodes 120 and another group of the plurality of second barrier electrodes 120 may be arranged on a second side of the material layer 110. For example, the first side may be different from the second side. For example, the second side may be opposite the first side. Fig. 1G and Fig. 1H show, for example, that no further barrier electrode can be arranged opposite a first (or second) barrier electrode. In Fig. For example, Figure 1I shows that a further first (or second) barrier electrode can be arranged opposite a first (or second) barrier electrode. This allows, for example, a potential barrier to be generated more efficiently. For example, such an arrangement allows a potential barrier to be adapted to a layer thickness (e.g., to a larger one).

[0041] Fig. 1 year, Fig. 1K and Fig. 1L show an example of a charge carrier separation device 100 according to various aspects. In Fig. 1J, for example, it is shown that the magnet unit 140 can be arranged on the same side of the material layer 110 as the one or more first barrier electrodes 120 and the one or more second barrier electrodes 130. In the Fig. 1K and Fig. For example, Figure 1L shows that the charge carrier separation device 100 may include one or more magnet units 140.

[0042] For example, the one or more magnet units 140 may be arranged within and / or on one (or more) edges of the material layer 110 (see, for example, Fig. 1K). For example, the one or more magnet units 140 may be arranged between adjacent barrier electrodes (of the same or a different type). For example, a first of the one or more magnet units 140 may be arranged on a first side of the material layer 110. For example, a second of the one or more magnet units 140 may be arranged on a first side of the material layer 110. For example, the first side may be different from the second side. For example, the second side may be arranged opposite the first side.

[0043] To separate the charge carrier pairs by the magnetic field, charge carriers of the first type can be deflected in a first direction and charge carriers of the second type in a second direction. For example, the first direction can be opposite relative to the second direction. For example, the charge carriers of the first type can move in the first direction on a circular path due to the magnetic field. For example, the charge carriers of the second type can move in the second direction on a different circular path due to the magnetic field (illustratively, e.g., opposite to the first charge carriers). If one of the charge carriers of the first type 221 or of the second type 222, which are on their respective circular paths, encounters one of the one or more first or one of the one or more second potential barriers, the charge carrier of the first type 221 or the charge carrier of the second type 222 can be reflected by this barrier.Thus, for example, the load carriers of the first type 221 and the second type 222 can be transported in a respective direction. Fig. In Figures 2A to 2C, this process is illustrated in detail using the example of a pair of charge carriers.

[0044] Fig. 2A shows the generation of a charge carrier pair consisting of a charge carrier of a first type 221 and a charge carrier of a second type 222 in a material layer 110 in response to irradiation with electromagnetic radiation 210. Due to a magnetic field provided by a magnet unit 140 in the material layer 110, the charge carriers each move on a partial circular path with opposite directions. The respective partial circular paths are indicated by arrows. For example, the charge carrier of the first type can move on a circular path that differs from the circular path of the charge carrier of the second type (e.g., in radius, center, direction of rotation, etc.), for example, when the charge carrier pairs are generated by means of chemical catalyst elements. The one or more second potential barriers can be permeable to the charge carriers of the first type 221.For example, a charge carrier of the first type 221 can be decelerated or accelerated by a respective second potential barrier when the charge carrier of the first type 221 moves away from or toward the respective second potential barrier. In an analogous manner, the one or more first potential barriers can be permeable to the charge carriers of the second type 222.

[0045] Fig. 2B shows how a charge carrier of the first type 221 and a charge carrier of the second type 222 each encounter one of the one or more first and one or more second potential barriers, respectively. For the sake of clarity, the potential barriers are shown directly beneath the respective barrier electrodes 120, 130. It is understood that, depending on an electrical voltage, and / or a shape, and / or a size, and / or an arrangement of the one or more first and / or second barrier electrodes 120, 130, a plurality of shapes and / or characteristics (e.g., different electric field strengths) of the potential barriers can be realized. For example, a local characteristic (e.g., a field strength) can depend on the shape, and / or size, and / or arrangement, and / or an electrical voltage, and / or a distance from the one or more first and / or one or more second barrier electrodes 120, 130.

[0046] Through interaction with the respective potential barrier, the respective charge carrier can be reflected from the respective potential barrier. Through the magnetic field and the associated deflection, the charge carrier of the first or second type can be directed back to one of the one or more first or second potential barriers. There, the first or second type can be reflected again, and so on.

[0047] In Fig. Figure 2B shows, by way of example, a path 221w of the charge carrier of the first type 221 and a path 222w of the charge carrier of the second type 222 using several arrows. The respective path can consist of one or more partial circular paths. The partial circular paths of the respective charge carriers can arise from an interplay of the repulsive effect of the potential barrier and the deflecting effect of the magnetic field. The respective starting point 221u or 222u is illustrated by way of example by a dashed circle.

[0048] It is understood that the radius of the resulting partial circular orbits of the respective charge carrier can depend on one or more properties of the fields and the charge carrier, e.g., the field strength of the magnetic field, the field strength of the first and / or second potential barrier, the kinetic energy of the respective charge carrier, and / or the magnitude of the charge of the respective charge carrier. For example, the kinetic energies of the charge carriers of a generated charge carrier pair can depend on the energy of the incident electromagnetic radiation (i.e., a wavelength) and the energy required to generate the charge carrier pair.

[0049] For example, a radius of a partial circular orbit of a charge carrier can be estimated using the cyclotron radius r: r=|p→|qB=EqBνF.

[0050] Here q can be a charge, p→ an impulse, E a kinetic energy and v F represent the Fermi velocity of the charge carrier. B can represent a magnetic flux density (and thus a magnetic field strength).

[0051] For example, the distance between adjacent first (or second) potential barriers can be chosen such that the distance is smaller than the radius or diameter of a circular path of a first (or second) charge carrier. This can ensure, for example, that charge carriers are directed to a respective potential barrier regardless of their origin in the material layer.

[0052] By appropriately constructing the one or more first and / or second barriers, the efficiency of charge carrier separation device 100 can be improved. For example, a first (or second) potential barrier can be created using a barrier electrode and / or a group of multiple barrier electrodes. For example, conventionally used electrodes and / or groups of multiple conventionally used electrodes can be used to create first and / or second potential barriers.

[0053] Fig. 2C shows, by way of example, a state in which the separated charge carriers of the first type 221 and the second type 222 collect in different collection areas. For example, the charge carriers of the first type 221 can collect in a first collection area 231. For example, the charge carriers of the second type 222 can collect in a second collection area 232. The first collection area 231 and the second collection area 232 can be configured such that they do not overlap. Clearly, the first collection area 231 and the second collection area 232 are spatially separated from one another.

[0054] By way of example, only one respective collection region for a first or a second barrier electrode 120 or 130 is shown in the figures. It is understood that multiple collection regions can be arranged on a potential barrier and / or on an associated barrier electrode. Thus, for example, charge carriers reflected by the potential barrier in mutually different directions can be collected. This can increase the efficiency of the charge carrier separation device 100.

[0055] By appropriately arranging the one or more first and / or second potential barriers relative to one another, the efficiency of the charge carrier separation device 100 can be improved. For example, by appropriately arranging the barrier electrodes, the collection regions can be (spatially) further apart from one another.

[0056] Fig. 2D shows a further exemplary arrangement of an arrangement of a plurality of barrier electrodes 120, 130. Illustratively, the first charge carriers meander along the first potential barriers, which are generated, for example, by the plurality of first barrier electrodes 120 (e.g., a group of a plurality of first barrier electrodes 120), until the first charge carriers reach the first collection region 231. Illustratively, the second charge carriers meander along the second potential barriers, which are generated, for example, by the plurality of second barrier electrodes 130 (e.g., a group of a plurality of second barrier electrodes 130), until the second charge carriers reach the second collection region 232. It is understood that other arrangements of barrier electrodes are also possible. For example, the barrier electrodes can be arranged in spirals, meander structures, and / or other suitable arrangements.

[0057] The separated load carriers can, for example, be picked up from the respective collection areas in a next step. Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B shows an example of how the separated charge carriers can be collected using collecting electrodes.

[0058] Fig. 3A schematically illustrates a top view of a charge carrier separation device 100. For example, the charge carrier separation device 100 can have a first collecting electrode 311 and a second collecting electrode 312. In a first collecting region, for example, charge carriers of the first type 221 can collect. For example, the first collecting electrode 311 can be arranged at the first collecting region 231. For example, the first collecting electrode 311 can be electrically conductively connected to the first collecting region 231. In a second collecting region, for example, charge carriers of the second type 222 can collect. For example, the second collecting electrode 312 can be arranged at the second collecting region 232. For example, the second collecting electrode 312 can be electrically conductively connected to the second collecting region 232.

[0059] Fig. 3B schematically illustrates a side view of the charge carrier separation device 100 of Fig. 3A. In contrast to the one or more first and second barrier electrodes 120 and 130, respectively, the first collecting electrode 311 and the second collecting electrode 312 can be electrically conductively connected to the material layer 110 or can make electrically conductive contact therewith. For example, the first collecting electrode 311 can be electrically conductively connected to the first collecting region 231. For example, the second collecting electrode 312 can be electrically conductively connected to the second collecting region 232. The electrical connection can enable a current flow.

[0060] It is understood that the Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B is an exemplary arrangement of the collecting electrodes. Other arrangements of the collecting electrodes may also be possible. For example, the one or more collecting electrodes may be arranged on a different surface of the material layer 110 than the first or second barrier electrodes 120, 130. For example, the one or more collecting electrodes may be integrated into the material layer 110 (e.g., by means of a trench). For example, the one or more collecting electrodes may be arranged at an edge of the material layer 110. An example of this is shown in Fig. 3B, a second collecting electrode 312 is indicated by a dashed line. It is understood that when arranged at the edge of the material layer, the respective collecting electrode should have an electrically conductive contact with the respective associated collecting area.

[0061] The material layer 110 may have several sub-layers. Fig. 4 shows, by way of example, a side view of a charge carrier separation device 100 having a plurality of sublayers 410. Adjacent sublayers of the plurality of sublayers can be separated from one another, for example, by separating layers. For example, the separating layers can be made of electrically non-conductive material. For example, one or more collecting electrodes can be arranged in a separating layer (e.g., for one or both adjacent sublayers).

[0062] For example, several or all of the multiple sublayers may have the same electrical properties and / or be made of the same material. Preferably, the material of which several or all of the multiple sublayers are made has the same electronic configuration. The electronic configuration may depend on a crystal structure.

[0063] For example, a thickness of the material layer 110, and / or total thickness of the sub-layers 410, and / or a number of the sub-layers 410 can be designed such that a predetermined electromagnetic radiation (e.g., having one or more predetermined wavelengths) is absorbed by more than 20% (e.g., more than 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or more than 99%) in the material layer 110.

[0064] According to various aspects, the charge carrier pairs can be generated by means of chemical energy and / or chemical reactions.

[0065] Fig. 5 schematically shows a charge carrier separation device 100, which may include one or more chemical catalyst elements 510. The one or more chemical catalyst elements 510 may, for example, be configured to generate charge carrier pairs in the material layer 110 by means of chemical reactions. The one or more chemical catalyst elements 510 may, for example, be configured to be excited by means of electromagnetic radiation and to generate charge carrier pairs in the material layer 110 (e.g., as a result of the excitation). The one or more chemical catalyst elements 510 may, for example, react with a substance from an environment of the charge carrier separation device 100, whereby charge carrier pairs may be generated in the material layer 110.

[0066] Fig. 6A schematically illustrates a charge carrier separation device 100 according to various aspects. For example, the charge carrier separation device 100 may include an electrode control unit 610. For example, the electrode control unit 610 may be used to control an electrical voltage that can be applied to the one or more first barrier electrodes 120 and / or the one or more second barrier electrodes 130. For example, the electrode control unit 610 may be configured to (electrically) charge, discharge, and / or maintain a respective charge constant in one or more first and / or second barrier electrodes 120 and 130, respectively. For example, the electrode control unit 610 may be configured to individually control each of the one or more first and / or second barrier electrodes 120 and 130, respectively.For example, the electrode control unit 610 may be configured to control one or more groups of barrier electrodes. For example, the one or more groups of barrier electrodes may each comprise one or more first or second barrier electrodes of the one or more first and second barrier electrodes 120 and 130, respectively.

[0067] Fig. 6B schematically illustrates a charge carrier separation device 100, which may include a magnet control unit 620. The magnet control unit 620 may be configured to change a configuration of the magnet unit. For example, depending on the configuration of the magnet unit, one or more characteristics of the magnetic field may be changed. For example, the magnet control unit 620 may be configured to change an arrangement of one or more magnets of the magnet unit 620. For example, the arrangement of the magnets relative to one another and / or the arrangement of the magnets relative to the material layer 110 may be changed.

[0068] According to various aspects, the one or more first and one or more second potential barriers can each be generated by means of suitable doping(s). For example, at least one first doping region can be generated by means of one or more first dopants. For example, at least one second doping region can be generated by means of one or more second dopants. For example, one or more first (or second) potential barriers can be generated by the first (or second) doping region. For example, a strength, and / or shape, and / or a distribution of the one or more potential barriers can depend on a concentration, a concentration distribution, and / or the respective dopants. It is understood that all features and / or embodiments described herein for the barrier electrodes can be applied or transferred analogously to the doping regions.It is understood that one (or more) graphene layers (e.g., a single-layer graphene layer) can also be doped using known (graphene) doping methods. For example, a donor layer and / or an acceptor layer can be applied to a graphene layer. For example, doping atoms can be introduced into the graphene layer.

[0069] Fig. 7A and Fig. 7B show an example of a charge carrier separation device 100 according to various aspects. For example, Fig. 7A a plan view and Fig. 7B shows a side view of the charge carrier separation device 100. The charge carrier separation device 100 may include one or more first doping regions 720 and one or more second doping regions 730 within the material layer 110. For example, the doping regions 720 and 730, respectively, may be created by an implantation (e.g., ion implantation), diffusion, or other suitable doping methods.

[0070] For example, potential barriers can be generated by means of one or more doping regions 720 or 730 and by means of one or more barrier electrodes 120 or 130. In the Fig. 7C to 7E illustrate exemplary embodiments of how doping regions 720 and 730 can be combined with barrier electrodes 120 and 130, respectively. It is understood that other combinations and / or arrangements are also possible.

[0071] In Fig.8 illustrates, by way of example, a method by which charge carriers can be tapped. In a first step 810, charge carrier pairs can be generated in a material layer. For example, the material layer can be configured to generate charge carrier pairs. For example, the material layer can generate charge carrier pairs as a reaction to irradiation with electromagnetic radiation. For example, a magnetic field can be provided or generated in the material layer to influence the generated charge carrier pairs. For example, one or more first potential barriers for charge carriers of a first type and one or more second potential barriers for charge carriers of a second type can be provided or generated in the material layer. By means of the plurality of first and second potential barriers and the magnetic field, the charge carriers of the first and second types can be spatially separated from one another.For example, the first and second charge carriers can be guided into spatially separated regions within the material layer. For example, an electrical voltage can be generated due to the separation of the charge carriers between these spatially separated regions (e.g., at contacts arranged in the respective region). In a second step 820, the generated charge carriers of the first and second types can be tapped from the material layer. For example, the charge carriers of the first and second types can be separated in the material layer by means of the magnetic field, the one or more first potential barriers, and / or the one or more second potential barriers.

[0072] According to various aspects, a device and a method are provided which can be used to generate charge carrier pairs in a material layer by excitation (e.g. electromagnetic radiation and / or chemical processes). For example, electromagnetic radiation (e.g. light or other forms of energy, e.g. infrared radiation) can be converted into an electric current and / or an electric voltage within the material layer. The material layer can be influenced by a strong magnetic field as well as an inhomogeneous electric field. For example, the electric field can be generated by barrier electrodes (or gate electrodes) and / or by applying or introducing materials which cause effective doping or doping.

[0073] A propagation of charge carriers of the charge carrier pairs in the material layer can be guided by the electric and magnetic fields into paths in which charge carriers of a first type (e.g. holes) are primarily propagated into at least one first collection area (in which, for example, at least one positive contact is arranged) and in which charge carriers of a second type (e.g. electrons) are primarily propagated into at least one second collection area (in which, for example, at least one negative contact is arranged). For example, a current can be generated in this way. In this case, charge carriers of the first and second types (e.g. the positive and negative charges) can be guided onto effective circular paths (segments) by the magnetic field (which, for example, can be constant over time and / or perpendicular to a material layer plane). The charge carriers of the first and second types can have opposite directions of rotation.The charge carriers of the first or second type can be reflected by suitable electrical potential barriers. For example, positively charged potential barriers can primarily reflect positive charge carriers, and vice versa. For example, by using a suitable geometry (e.g., a comb-like structure) of the potential barriers, the positive or negative charge carriers can be (primarily) directed to a positive or negative contact, respectively.

[0074] Preferably, the material layer can comprise or consist of graphene and / or a material other than graphene with similar electrical (and optionally magnetic) properties to graphene. Graphene can be particularly suitable because graphene has no energy gap and can therefore also absorb and convert low-energy radiation such as infrared radiation (and thus generate charge carrier pairs). In addition, the use of graphene can minimize electrical losses that can arise from propagation of the charge carriers, which can primarily occur perpendicular to the electrical and magnetic field. For example, compared with Si-based or GaAs-based solar cells, the described charge carrier separation device can require lower material costs. The arrangement according to the invention can also enable energy conversion over a wide spectral range and with a high yield orenable a high level of efficiency.

[0075] The charge carrier separation device can enable lower material costs (compared to silicon in solar cells), more flexible control (e.g., through an electrical voltage at the barrier electrodes), and higher yields (e.g., due to the missing band gap of graphene). In contrast to charge separation by an electric field (e.g., in a pn junction in solar cells), which can lead to electrical losses, in the charge carrier separation device, according to various aspects, the propagation of the charge carriers of the first and second type can occur primarily perpendicular to the electric (and magnetic) field. This can minimize losses due to the electric field (e.g., due to the pn junction), for example. Due to the influence of the magnetic field, the charge carrier paths can be very robust, which can also reduce electrical losses.

[0076] According to various aspects, the electric field can be generated by barrier electrodes that are electrically insulated from the graphene. For example, a geometry of the electric field can achieve a better areal yield than by propagating the charge carriers in edge channels. For example, the edge channels, which are more likely to contain imperfections, can also lead to losses. The described charge carrier separation device can enable flexible control by modifying the electric and magnetic fields. This allows, for example, flexible adaptation and optimization for the respective application (e.g., as a sensor, solar cell, etc.).

[0077] Some examples are described below which relate to what is described herein and shown in the figures.

[0078] Example 1 is a charge carrier separation device which may comprise: a material layer configured to generate charge carrier pairs in response to electromagnetic radiation when it strikes the material layer; a magnet unit for providing (e.g.Generating, applying) a magnetic field in the material layer to influence generated charge carrier pairs within the material layer; one or more first barrier electrodes, wherein the one or more first barrier electrodes are configured to provide one or more first potential barriers in the material layer for charge carriers of a first type, one or more second barrier electrodes (chargeable but then actually floating - charging circuit, possibly capacitor to hold the voltage longer), wherein the one or more second barrier electrodes are configured to provide one or more second potential barriers in the material layer for charge carriers of a second type, wherein the material layer, the magnet unit (e.g. permanently magnetic, e.g. with a magnetic flux density of more than 0.1 T, e.g.more than 0.2 T, 0.3 T, 0.4 T, 0.5 T, 0.6 T, 0.7 T, 0.8 T, 0.9 T, 1.0 T or more than 1.5 T), the one or more first barrier electrodes and the one or more second barrier electrodes can be arranged in such a way (i.e. with a respective distance, a respective electric field strength, etc. so that the (partial) circular paths are generated in such a way that the charge carriers can hit the potential barrier) that a spatial charge carrier separation of charge carriers of the first type and charge carriers of the second type can take place in the material layer.

[0079] Illustratively, this can mean that charge carriers of the first type of the generated charge carrier pairs can be brought into a first region of the material layer and that charge carriers of the second type of the generated charge carrier pairs can be brought into a second region of the material layer.

[0080] Example 2 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 1, optionally further comprising: one or more first collecting electrodes for collecting spatially separated charge carriers of the first type, wherein the one or more first collecting electrodes can preferably be arranged in a first collecting region of the material layer; and one or more second collecting electrodes for collecting spatially separated charge carriers of the second type, wherein the one or more second collecting electrodes can preferably be arranged in a second collecting region of the material layer spaced from the first collecting region.

[0081] Example 3 is a charge carrier separation device according to example 1 or 2, wherein mutually adjacent (e.g. directly adjacent) barrier electrodes of the plurality of first barrier electrodes can be configured such (e.g. arranged at a first distance from one another and / or charged accordingly) that charge carriers of the first type of the generated charge carrier pairs can be deflected by at least one of the first potential barriers.

[0082] Example 4 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 3, wherein mutually adjacent (e.g., directly adjacent) barrier electrodes of the plurality of second barrier electrodes can be configured (e.g., arranged at a first distance from one another and / or charged accordingly) such that charge carriers of the first type of the generated charge carrier pairs can be deflected by at least one of the second potential barriers.

[0083] Example 5 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the plurality of first barrier electrodes may be configured such that at least a first group of the plurality of first barrier electrodes may be controlled (e.g., charged or discharged) independently of a second group of the plurality of first barrier electrodes.

[0084] Example 6 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the plurality of second barrier electrodes may be configured such that at least a first group of the plurality of second barrier electrodes may be controlled (e.g., charged) independently of a second group of the plurality of second barrier electrodes.

[0085] Example 7 Charge carrier separation device according to examples 1 to 6, which may optionally further comprise: an electrode control unit which may be configured to control (amplify, switch on, switch off, change a spatial distribution) the one or more first potential barriers and the one or more second potential barriers.

[0086] Example 8 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 7 in conjunction with Example 5, wherein the electrode control unit can be configured to charge and / or maintain the first group of the plurality of first barrier electrodes to a first electrical voltage and to charge and / or maintain the second group of the plurality of first barrier electrodes to a second electrical voltage. For example, the second electrical voltage can be different from the first electrical voltage (e.g., by more than 10%, e.g., by more than 50%, 100%, 500%, 1,000%, or by more than 10,000%).

[0087] Thus, for example, the first barrier electrodes can be adapted to a kinetic energy of the first charge carriers

[0088] Example 9 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 8, wherein a magnitude of the first electrical voltage may be substantially (less than 10% deviation) equal to a magnitude of the second electrical voltage.

[0089] Example 10 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 8, wherein an amount of the first electrical voltage may be greater than an amount of the second electrical voltage, in particular wherein the amount of the second electrical voltage may be zero.

[0090] Thus, for example, barrier electrodes can be switched off in order to adapt the charge carrier separation device to a radius of partial circular paths of the generated charge carriers

[0091] Example 11 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 7 in conjunction with Example 6, wherein the electrode control unit can be configured to charge and / or maintain the second group of the plurality of first barrier electrodes to a third electrical voltage and to charge and / or maintain the second group of the plurality of second barrier electrodes to a fourth electrical voltage. For example, the second electrical voltage can be different from the first electrical voltage (e.g., by more than 10%, e.g., by more than 50%, 100%, 500%, 1,000%, or by more than 10,000%).

[0092] Example 12 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 11, wherein an amount of the third electrical voltage can be substantially (e.g., with a deviation of less than 10%, less than 5%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, or less than 0.01%) equal to an amount of the fourth electrical voltage.

[0093] Example 13 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 11, wherein a magnitude of the third electrical voltage may be greater (e.g., by more than 10%, e.g., by more than 50%, 100%, 500%, 1,000%, or by more than 10,000%) than a magnitude of the fourth voltage. For example, the magnitude of the fourth electrical voltage may be zero.

[0094] Example 14 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 11 in conjunction with Example 5, wherein a magnitude of at least two electrical voltages selected from a group comprising the first electrical voltage, the second electrical voltage, the third electrical voltage, and the fourth electrical voltage may be substantially equal (e.g., with a deviation of less than 10%, less than 5%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, or less than 0.01%).

[0095] Example 15 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 11 in conjunction with Example 5, wherein an amount of each two electrical voltages selected from a group comprising the first electrical voltage, the second electrical voltage, the third electrical voltage and the fourth electrical voltage can be substantially equal (e.g., with a deviation of less than 10%, less than 5%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1% or less than 0.01%).

[0096] Example 16 is a charge separation device according to Example 15, wherein a magnitude of all electrical voltages selected from a group comprising the first electrical voltage, the second electrical voltage, the third electrical voltage, and the fourth electrical voltage may be substantially the same (e.g., with a deviation of less than 10%, less than 5%, 1%, 0.5%, 0.1%, or less than 0.01%).

[0097] Example 17 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 15, wherein an amount of each two further electrical voltages selected from a group comprising the first electrical voltage, the second electrical voltage, the third electrical voltage and the fourth electrical voltage can be different from one another (eg by more than 10%, eg by more than 50%, 100%, 500%, 1 000% or by more than 10 000%).

[0098] Example 18 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of examples 7 to 17, wherein the electrode control unit can be configured to select an operating mode depending on an energy of the generated charge carrier pairs and / or characteristics of the incident electromagnetic radiation.

[0099] Example 19 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 18, wherein a predefined number of active first barrier electrodes can be assigned to the operating mode.

[0100] For example, the energy (e.g., kinetic energy) of the generated charge carrier pairs may be too low, so that not all charge carriers of the first type of the generated charge carrier pairs can be deflected by a potential barrier of the first group of barrier electrodes. Charge carriers that do not interact with any potential barrier of the first group of barrier electrodes can be deflected by an intermediate electrode (of the second group). Thus, a larger number of charge carriers of the first type can be deflected by the barrier electrodes of the second group of barrier electrodes. At higher energies of the charge carriers of the first type of the generated charge carrier pairs, the barrier electrodes of the second group of barrier electrodes can be switched off. For example, the supply energy of the charge carrier separation device can thus be reduced.

[0101] Example 20 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 19, which may optionally further comprise: an energy storage device for storing electrical energy.

[0102] Example 21 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 20, wherein the energy storage device can be configured to supply the electrode control unit with electrical energy for charging the barrier electrodes.

[0103] Example 22 is a charge carrier separation device according to example 20 or 21, wherein the energy storage device can be coupled to the barrier electrodes to keep constant an electrical voltage applied to the barrier electrodes.

[0104] For example, the energy storage device can be charged (e.g., during an initialization process of the charge carrier separation device) and maintained at a predefined electrical voltage. For example, the energy storage device can be independent of an external power source (e.g., except for a charging process).

[0105] Example 23 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 22, wherein the magnet unit is configured such that one or more characteristics (e.g., a magnetic field strength, a fluence, a spatial distribution) of the magnetic field can be varied (e.g., increased, changed, decreased, etc.) by changing a configuration (electrical control of electromagnets, a position of one or more electromagnets and / or permanent magnets, an orientation of electromagnets and / or permanent magnets, a displacement of electromagnets and / or permanent magnets, etc.) of the magnet unit.

[0106] Example 24 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 23, which may optionally further comprise: a magnet control unit, which may be configured to change the configuration of the magnet unit to vary the one or more characteristics of the magnetic field.

[0107] Example 25 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 24, wherein the magnet control unit can be configured such that the configuration of the magnet unit can be selected depending on an energy of the generated charge carrier pairs and / or a characteristic of the incident electromagnetic radiation.

[0108] Example 26 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 25, wherein at least one selectable configuration of the magnet unit can be assigned one or more predefined characteristics of the magnetic field that can be adjusted by the magnet control unit.

[0109] For example, the magnet control unit can be configured to change (e.g., increase or decrease) a magnetic field strength (or a physical quantity directly related to the magnetic field strength) in the material layer. For example, a magnetic field strength can be reduced by a distance between the material layer and at least part of the magnet unit.

[0110] Example 27 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 26, wherein the magnet unit may comprise one or more permanent magnets and / or one or more electromagnets.

[0111] For example, the one or more magnets may comprise or consist of one or more of the following materials: neodymium-iron-boron, samarium-cobalt, alnico, Sr-ferrite.

[0112] For example, the magnet control unit can be configured to control (e.g., vary) an electrical voltage supply, an electrical power supply, or a number of turns of the magnet for at least one of the one or more electromagnets. Thus, one or more characteristics of the magnetic field can be controlled. For example, at least one of the one or more characteristics of the magnetic field can be adapted to the energy and / or charge of the generated charge carriers.

[0113] Example 28 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 27, wherein one or more chemical catalyst elements may be arranged on the material layer, which are configured to generate charge carrier pairs in the material layer in response to electromagnetic radiation when it impinges on the one or more catalyst elements.

[0114] Example 29 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 28, wherein the charge carrier separation device can be configured such that electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the material layer can be reflected back into the material layer (e.g., more than 20%, e.g., more than 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more than 95%).

[0115] Example 30 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 29, which may optionally further comprise: a reflection unit for reflecting electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the material layer toward the material layer.

[0116] Example 31 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 30, wherein the reflection unit can be configured to reflect radiation having one or more predetermined wavelengths more strongly than radiation having one or more other wavelengths. For example, the one or more other wavelengths can be different from the one or more predetermined wavelengths.

[0117] For example, by reflecting back into the material layer, a higher number of charge carriers can be generated. For example, by reflecting back into the material layer, electromagnetic radiation can be used more efficiently.

[0118] Example 32 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 31, which can optionally further comprise a wavelength conversion element that substantially absorbs a first radiation, which can have one or more first wavelengths, and in response to the absorption of the first radiation, can emit a second radiation, which can have one or more second wavelengths.

[0119] For example, the material layer 1 can be configured to preferably absorb specific radiation with one or more specific wavelengths from the UV range, visible light, and / or the IR range. For example, the incident electromagnetic radiation can differ from the specific radiation, e.g., in one or more wavelengths. For example, the wavelength conversion device can be suitable for converting the incident electromagnetic radiation into the specific radiation.

[0120] Example 33 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 32, wherein preferably at least one of the one or more second wavelengths may differ from the one or more first wavelengths.

[0121] Example 34 is a charge separation device according to Example 32 or 33, wherein the one or more first wavelengths can be substantially larger than the one or more second wavelengths (e.g., larger by more than 10%, e.g., larger by more than 50%, 100%, 500%, 1,000%, or larger by more than 10,000%).

[0122] For example, substantially greater may mean that an average first wavelength (e.g., an arithmetic mean, a geometric mean, a harmonic mean, and / or a median) of the one or more first wavelengths may be greater than an average second wavelength (e.g., an arithmetic mean, a geometric mean, a harmonic mean, and / or a median) of the one or more second wavelengths. For example, substantially greater may mean that a wavelength of the one or more first wavelengths that is less than at least 50% of the other one or more first wavelengths may be greater than a wavelength of the one or more second wavelengths that is greater than at least 50% of the other one or more second wavelengths.

[0123] Example 35 is a charge separation device according to Example 32 or 33, wherein the one or more first wavelengths are substantially smaller than the one or more second wavelengths (e.g., smaller by more than 10%, e.g., smaller by more than 50%, 100%, 500%, 1,000%, or smaller by more than 10,000%).

[0124] For example, substantially smaller may mean that a mean first wavelength (e.g., an arithmetic mean, a geometric mean, a harmonic mean, and / or a median) of the one or more first wavelengths may be smaller than a mean second wavelength (e.g., an arithmetic mean, a geometric mean, a harmonic mean, and / or a median) of the one or more second wavelengths. For example, substantially smaller may mean that a wavelength of the one or more first wavelengths that is greater than at least 50% of the other one or more first wavelengths may be smaller than a wavelength of the one or more second wavelengths that is less than at least 50% of the other one or more second wavelengths.

[0125] Example 36 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 35, wherein a layer thickness of the material layer can be adapted to an absorption of an incident electromagnetic radiation having one or more predetermined wavelengths, such that more than 30% (eg, more than 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or more than 99%) of the incident radiation can be absorbed in the material layer.

[0126] Example 37 is a charge separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 36, wherein the material layer may substantially comprise (e.g., more than 20%, 30%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%) one or more materials, each having a band gap between a valence band and a conduction band of less than 100 eV (e.g., less than 50 eV, 40 eV, 30 eV, 20 eV, 10 eV, 5 eV, 1 eV, or less than 0.5 eV).

[0127] Example 38 is a charge separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 37, wherein the material layer may comprise graphene.

[0128] Example 39 is a charge separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 38, wherein the material layer may be comprised of one or more materials, each having a band gap between a valence band and a conduction band of less than 100 eV (e.g., less than 50 eV, 40 eV, 30 eV, 20 eV, 10 eV, 5 eV, 1 eV, or less than 0.5 eV).

[0129] Example 40 is a charge separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 39, wherein the material layer may be made of graphene.

[0130] Example 41 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 40, wherein the material layer may substantially (e.g., more than 20%, 30%, 40%, 60%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99%) comprise a material having an electronically two-dimensional structure and / or a two-dimensional crystal structure and / or a thickness of a few atomic layers (less than 10).

[0131] Example 42 is a charge separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 41, wherein the material layer may consist of one atomic layer.

[0132] Example 43 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 42, wherein the material layer can be constructed from multiple sublayers. Illustratively, the material layer can be constructed in multiple layers.

[0133] For example, several layers with the same or different properties can be stacked on top of each other in order to increase the efficiency and / or performance of the charge carrier separation device.

[0134] Example 44 is a charge separation device according to Example 43, wherein each of the plurality of sub-layers may each have an electronic two-dimensional structure and / or a two-dimensional crystal structure and / or a thickness of a few atomic layers (less than 10).

[0135] Example 45 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 43 or 44, wherein the plurality of sub-layers may be made of the same material.

[0136] Example 46 is a charge separation device according to Example 43, wherein the multiple sub-layers may be made of the same material in the same electronic configuration (electronic configuration depends on crystal structure).

[0137] Example 47 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 43 to 46, wherein adjacent sub-layers of the plurality of sub-layers can be separated from each other by at least one insulating layer.

[0138] Example 48 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 43 to 47, wherein a number and / or a total layer thickness of the plurality of sublayers of the material layer is adapted to an absorption of incident electromagnetic radiation having one or more predetermined wavelengths, such that more than 30% (e.g., more than 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or more than 99%) of the incident radiation can be absorbed in the material layer. For example, the absorption can be related to one or more specific wavelengths.

[0139] Example 49 is a charge separation device according to any one of Examples 43 to 48, wherein one or more of the one or more sub-layers each consist of one or more materials each having a band gap between a valence band and a conduction band of less than 100 eV (e.g., less than 50 eV, 40 eV, 30 eV, 20 eV, 10 eV, 5 eV, 1 eV, or less than 0.5 eV).

[0140] Example 50 is a charge separation device according to any one of Examples 43 to 49, wherein one or more of the one or more sub-layers may comprise or consist of graphene.

[0141] Example 51 is a charge separation device according to any one of Examples 43 to 50, wherein all sub-layers may be made of graphene.

[0142] Example 52 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 52, wherein the charge carrier separation device can be configured such that a portion of an electromagnetic radiation having one or more predetermined wavelengths from an electromagnetic radiation incident on the material layer can be substantially reflected (e.g., more than 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more than 95%) and / or transmitted (e.g., more than 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or more than 95%).

[0143] For example, wavelength selection can be enabled. For example, a radiation detector could be realized this way. For example, a multi-stage charge separation device could be realized this way. For example, each stage of the multi-stage charge separation device can be adapted for radiation with one or more wavelengths. For example, different stages can be used for different radiations, i.e., with at least one different wavelength. For example, the reflected or transmitted radiation could be further processed (e.g., converted, etc.) (e.g., in additional arrangements).

[0144] Example 53 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 54, wherein the material layer may be doped by means of one or more first dopants, wherein the one or more first dopants may be configured (ie also arranged) to provide one or more further first potential barriers in the material layer for the charge carriers of the first type and / or to provide the one or more first potential barriers together with the one or more first barrier electrodes.

[0145] Example 54 is a charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 55, wherein the material layer may be doped by means of one or more second dopants, wherein the one or more second dopants may be configured (ie also arranged) to provide one or more further second potential barriers in the material layer for the charge carriers of the second type and / or to provide the one or more second potential barriers together with the one or more second barrier electrodes.

[0146] Example 55 is a charge carrier separation device, which may comprise: a material layer configured to generate charge carrier pairs in response to electromagnetic radiation when it impinges on the material layer; wherein the material layer may be doped by one or more first dopants, wherein the one or more first dopants may be configured (i.e., also arranged) to provide one or more first potential barriers in the material layer for charge carriers of a first type, wherein the material layer may be doped by one or more second dopants, wherein the one or more second dopants are configured (and arranged) to provide one or more second potential barriers in the material layer for charge carriers of a second type; a magnet unit for providing (e.g.,Generating, applying) a magnetic field in the material layer for influencing generated charge carrier pairs within the material layer; wherein the material layer, the magnet unit, the one or more first dopants and the one or more second dopants are configured in such a way (i.e. spacing, strength, concentration, distribution, etc. so that circular paths can be generated such that the charge carriers encounter the potential barrier) that a spatial charge carrier separation of charge carriers of the first type and charge carriers of the second type can occur in the material layer.

[0147] Example 56 is a charge carrier separation device according to Example 55, optionally further comprising: one or more first barrier electrodes, wherein the one or more first barrier electrodes can be configured to influence the one or more first potential barriers in the material layer, one or more second barrier electrodes, wherein the one or more second barrier electrodes can be configured to influence the one or more second potential barriers in the material layer. For example, the one or more first barrier electrodes and / or the one or more second barrier electrodes can be initially charged (e.g., by means of a charging circuit). For example, an electrical voltage of the barrier electrodes can no longer be varied after the initial charging.For example, the electrodes can be connected to a respective energy storage device in order to be able to maintain the respective electrical voltage for a longer period of time.

[0148] Example 57 is a charge carrier separation device that may include a material layer; a plurality of first potential barriers that may be provided in the material layer and configured to hold the charge carriers of a first type in a respective first region between two adjacent potential barriers of the plurality of first potential barriers; a plurality of second potential barriers that may be provided in the material layer and configured to hold the charge carriers of a second type in a respective second region between two adjacent potential barriers of the plurality of second potential barriers;a magnetic field that can be provided in the first region of the material layer and in the second region of the material layer and can be configured to influence a movement of the charge carriers of the first type and the charge carriers of the second type; a first collecting electrode in contact with at least one first collecting region for tapping charge carriers of the first type from the first collecting region; and a second collecting electrode in contact with at least one second collecting region for tapping charge carriers of the second type from the second collecting region;

[0149] For example, the magnetic field, the plurality of first potential barriers and the plurality of second potential barriers may be configured such that the charge carriers of the first type can accumulate in a first collection region in the material layer and that the charge carriers of the second type can accumulate in a second collection region in the material layer, and wherein the first collection region and the second collection region may be spatially separated from one another.

[0150] It is understood that Example 57 may be combined with the features according to any of Examples 2 to 54.

[0151] Example 58 is a charge separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 57, wherein the charge separation device may be configured as a solar cell.

[0152] Example 59 is a use of the charge carrier separation device according to any one of Examples 1 to 58 as a solar cell for converting electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy.

[0153] Example 60 is a method for tapping charge carriers, the method may comprise: generating charge carrier pairs in a material layer, wherein the material layer may be configured to generate charge carrier pairs, wherein a magnetic field for influencing generated charge carrier pairs, one or more first potential barriers for charge carriers of a first type, and one or more second potential barriers for charge carriers of a second type may be provided in the material layer; and tapping charge carriers of a first type and charge carriers of a second type, which can be separated in the material layer and by means of the magnetic field of the one or more first potential barriers and the one or more second potential barriers.

[0154] Example 61 is a method according to Example 60, wherein the material layer is configured such that, when electromagnetic radiation impinges on the material layer, the material layer can generate charge carrier pairs in response to electromagnetic radiation.

[0155] Example 62 is a method according to Example 61, wherein the material layer can be exposed to electromagnetic radiation to generate charge carrier pairs.

[0156] Example 63 is a method according to any one of examples 60 to 62, which may optionally further comprise changing (e.g., increasing, decreasing) one or more characteristics of the magnetic field (e.g., a spatial distribution of the magnetic field and / or a magnetic field strength) to change (e.g., increasing, decreasing) the amount of the tapped charge carriers of the first and second types, respectively.

[0157] Example 64 is a method according to any one of examples 60 to 63, which may optionally further comprise: changing a magnetic field strength and / or a local distribution of the magnetic field to change (e.g., increase, decrease) the amount of the tapped charge carriers of the first or second type.

[0158] Example 65 is a method according to any one of Examples 60 to 64, which may optionally further comprise: changing at least one electrical characteristic of the one or more first and / or the one or more second potential barriers (e.g., a strength, a distribution) to change (e.g., increase, decrease) the amount of the tapped charge carriers of the first and second types, respectively.

[0159] Example 66 is a method according to any one of examples 60 to 65, which may optionally further comprise: changing a field strength and / or local distribution of the field strength of the one or more first and / or the one or more second potential barriers to change (e.g., increase, decrease) the amount of the tapped charge carriers of the first or second type.

[0160] Example 67 is a method according to any one of Examples 60 to 66, which may optionally further comprise: changing a number of the one or more first and / or the one or more second potential barriers (e.g., a strength, a distribution) to change (e.g., increase, decrease) the amount of the tapped charge carriers of the first and second types, respectively.

[0161] Example 68 is a method for providing an electrical voltage and / or an electrical current, the method may comprise: exposing a material layer to electromagnetic radiation (e.g., for generating charge carrier pairs in the material layer), wherein the material layer may comprise at least a first and at least a second potential barrier for spatially separating charge carriers and is penetrated by a magnetic field for spatially separating charge carriers, and thereby (e.g., by exposing the material layer to the electromagnetic radiation) generating an electrical voltage applied to at least two collecting electrodes adjacent to the material layer.

[0162] Example 69 is a charge carrier separation device that may include: a material layer; one or more chemical catalyst elements arranged on and / or in the material layer and configured to generate charge carrier pairs in the material layer; a magnet unit for providing a magnetic field in the material layer to influence generated charge carrier pairs within the material layer;one or more first barrier electrodes, wherein the one or more first barrier electrodes can be configured to provide one or more first potential barriers in the material layer for charge carriers of a first type, one or more second barrier electrodes, wherein the one or more second barrier electrodes can be configured to provide one or more second potential barriers in the material layer for charge carriers of a second type, wherein the material layer, the magnet unit, the one or more first barrier electrodes and the one or more second barrier electrodes can be configured such that a spatial charge carrier separation of charge carriers of the first type and charge carriers of the second type can occur in the material layer;

[0163] In contrast to the previously mentioned examples, the charge carriers in the charge carrier separation device according to Example 69 can be generated by means of chemical reactions and the energy released thereby. It is understood that the features of the previously mentioned examples (apart from those specific to electromagnetic radiation) can also be transferred or applied to the charge carrier separation device according to Example 69.

Claims

[1] Charge carrier separating device (100), comprising: a material layer (110) configured to generate charge carrier pairs in response to electromagnetic radiation when it strikes the material layer (110); a magnet unit (140) for providing a magnetic field in the material layer (110) for influencing generated charge carrier pairs within the material layer (110); wherein the magnet unit (140) comprises one or more permanent magnets and / or one or more electromagnets; one or more first barrier electrodes (120), wherein the one or more first barrier electrodes (120) are configured to provide one or more first potential barriers in the material layer (110) for charge carriers of a first type (221); and one or more second barrier electrodes (130), wherein the one or more second barrier electrodes (130) are configured to provide one or more second potential barriers in the material layer (110) for charge carriers of a second type (222), wherein the material layer (110), the magnet unit (140), the one or more first barrier electrodes (120) and the one or more second barrier electrodes (130) are configured such that a spatial charge carrier separation of charge carriers of the first type (221) and charge carriers of the second type (222) occurs in the material layer (110), and wherein the one or more first barrier electrodes (120) and the one or more second barrier electrodes (130) are not electrically conductively connected to the material layer (110). [2] The charge carrier separating device (100) according to claim 1, further comprising: one or more first collecting electrodes (311) for collecting spatially separated charge carriers of the first type (221), preferably arranged in a first collecting region (231) of the material layer (110); and one or more second collecting electrodes (312) for collecting spatially separated charge carriers of the second type (222), preferably arranged in a second collecting region (232) of the material layer (110) spaced from the first collecting region (231). [3] Charge carrier separation device (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein mutually adjacent barrier electrodes of the plurality of first barrier electrodes (120) are arranged such that charge carriers of the first type (221) of the generated charge carrier pairs are deflected by at least one of the first potential barriers. [4] Charge carrier separation device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the plurality of first barrier electrodes (120) are configured such that at least a first group of the plurality of first barrier electrodes (120) can be controlled independently of a second group of the plurality of first barrier electrodes (120). [5] Charge carrier separating device (100) according to claims 1 to 4, further comprising: an electrode control unit which is arranged to control the one or more first potential barriers and the one or more second potential barriers. [6] Charge carrier separating device (100) according to claim 5 in conjunction with claim 4: wherein the electrode control unit is configured to charge and / or maintain the first group of the plurality of first barrier electrodes (120) to a first electrical voltage and to charge and / or maintain the second group of the plurality of first barrier electrodes (120) to a second electrical voltage, wherein the second electrical voltage differs from the first electrical voltage by more than 10%. [7] Charge carrier separation device (100) according to claim 6, wherein an amount of the first electrical voltage is greater than an amount of the second electrical voltage, in particular wherein the amount of the second electrical voltage is zero. [8] Charge carrier separating device (100) according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the electrode control unit is configured to select an operating mode depending on an energy of the generated charge carrier pairs and / or characteristics of the incident electromagnetic radiation, and wherein the operating mode is in particular assigned a predefined number of active first barrier electrodes (120). [9] Charge carrier separation device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising: an energy storage device for storing electrical energy, wherein the energy storage device is particularly configured to supply the electrode control unit with electrical energy for charging the barrier electrodes. [10] Charge carrier separation device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 9, wherein one or more chemical catalyst elements (510) are arranged on the material layer (110) and are configured to generate charge carrier pairs in the material layer (110) in response to electromagnetic radiation when it strikes the one or more catalyst elements. [11] Charge carrier separation device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the charge carrier separation device (100) is configured such that electromagnetic radiation transmitted through the material layer (110) is reflected back into the material layer (110) by more than 20%. [12] Charge carrier separation device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the material layer (110) comprises or consists of graphene. [13] Charge carrier separating device (100), comprising: a material layer (110); a plurality of first potential barriers provided in the material layer (110) by means of one or more first barrier electrodes (120) which are not electrically conductively connected to the material layer (110), and wherein the plurality of first potential barriers are configured to hold the charge carriers of a first type (221) in a respective first region between two adjacent potential barriers of the plurality of first potential barriers; a plurality of second potential barriers provided in the material layer (110) by means of one or more second barrier electrodes (130) which are not electrically conductively connected to the material layer (110), and wherein the plurality of second potential barriers are arranged to hold the charge carriers of a second type (222) in a respective second region between two adjacent potential barriers of the plurality of second potential barriers; a magnetic field provided by a magnet unit (140) in the first region of the material layer (110) and in the second region of the material layer (110) and arranged to influence a movement of the charge carriers of the first type (221) and the charge carriers of the second type (222), wherein the magnet unit (140) comprises one or more permanent magnets and / or one or more electromagnets; a first collecting electrode (311) in contact with at least one first collecting region (231) for tapping charge carriers of the first type (221) from the first collecting region (231); and a second collecting electrode (312) in contact with at least one second collecting region (232) for tapping charge carriers of the second type (222) from the second collecting region (231). [14] Use of the charge carrier separation device (100) according to one of claims 1 to 13 as a solar cell for converting electromagnetic radiation into electrical energy. [15] Method for providing an electrical voltage and / or an electrical current, the method comprising: Exposing a material layer (110) to electromagnetic radiation, wherein the material layer (110) has at least one first and at least one second potential barrier for spatially separating charge carriers and is penetrated by a magnetic field for spatially separating charge carriers, wherein the magnetic field for influencing generated charge carrier pairs within the material layer (110) is provided by means of a magnet unit (140); wherein the magnet unit (140) comprises one or more permanent magnets and / or one or more electromagnets; wherein the first potential barrier is generated by means of one or more first barrier electrodes (120) which are not electrically conductively connected to the material layer (110), and wherein the second potential barrier is generated by means of one or more second barrier electrodes (130) which are not electrically conductively connected to the material layer (110); and thereby generating an electrical voltage and / or an electrical current applied to at least two collecting electrodes (311, 312) adjacent to the material layer (110). [16] Charge carrier separating device (100), comprising: a material layer (110); one or more chemical catalyst elements (510) which are arranged on and / or in the material layer (110) and which are configured to generate charge carrier pairs in the material layer (110); a magnet unit (140) for providing a magnetic field in the material layer (110) for influencing generated charge carrier pairs within the material layer (110); wherein the magnet unit (140) comprises one or more permanent magnets and / or one or more electromagnets; one or more first barrier electrodes (120) which are not electrically conductively connected to the material layer (110), wherein the one or more first barrier electrodes (120) are configured to provide one or more first potential barriers in the material layer (110) for charge carriers of a first type (221); and one or more second barrier electrodes (130) which are not electrically conductively connected to the material layer (110), wherein the one or more second barrier electrodes (130) are configured to provide one or more second potential barriers in the material layer (110) for charge carriers of a second type (222), wherein the material layer (110), the magnet unit (140), the one or more first barrier electrodes (120) and the one or more second barrier electrodes (130) are configured such that a spatial charge carrier separation of charge carriers of the first type (221) and charge carriers of the second type (222) takes place in the material layer (110).

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