Metal Insulator Metal Diode: A Potential Candidate for Energy Harvesting Applications

Metal-Insulator-Metal (MIM) diodes used for infrared detection and frequency mixing since many decades and their development for energy harvesting applications in rectenna solar cell has accelerated a decade ago. In the horizon of these applications less complex fabrication methodology, accurate simulation methods and optimum material combination are required. Ultra-fast response of MIM diodes makes them a potential candidate for solar energy harvesting applications. Here in this work, the design and fabrication issues of MIM diode from simulation methodology based on insulating thickness properties to the fabrication methodology are discussed. MIM diode for Al–Al2O3–Ag combination is fabricated and characteristics such as I(V), asymmetry and non-linearity are reported.

ULTRA-HIGH SENSITIVITY VANADIUM–VANADIUM SESQUIOXIDE–VANADIUM (V–V2O3–V) SYMMETRIC TUNNEL JUNCTION DIODE

In this paper, a symmetrical MIM tunnel junction diode with a novel material combination, vanadium–vanadium sequioxide–vanadium (V–V2O3–V) is fabricated and electrically characterized. Analysis of the measured current-voltage ([Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] characteristics of the fabricated MIM diode revealed an ultra-high diode sensitivity of [Formula: see text]9.24[Formula: see text][Formula: see text] at an applied bias of [Formula: see text]0.104[Formula: see text]V. Based on the measured [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] characteristics, theoretical predictions were performed showing that the diode’s dynamic resistance can be tuned for matching to coupled antennas, in rectenna structures, whilst maintaining high levels of sensitivities using practically realizable V2O3 insulator thicknesses.

Single/Dual-Polarized Infrared Rectenna for Solar Energy Harvesting

Single and dual linearly-polarized receiving mode nanoantennas are designed for solar energy harvesting at 28.3 THz. The infrared rectennas are used to harvest the solar energy and converting it to electrical energy. The proposed infrared rectenna is a thin dipole made of gold and printed on a silicon dioxide substrate. Different shapes of the dipole arms have been investigated for maximum collected energy. The two poles of the dipole have been determined in a rectangular, circular and rhombus shapes. The rectenna dipole is used to concentrate the electromagnetic energy into a small localized area at the inner tips of the gap between the dipole arms. The dimensions of the different dipole shapes are optimized for maximum near electric field intensity at a frequency of 28.3 THz. A Metal Insulator Metal (MIM) diode is incorporated with the nanoantenna dipole to rectify the received energy. The receiving efficiency of the solar energy collector with integrated MIM diode has been investigated. A dual-polarized, four arms, rhombus shaped nanoantenna dipole for solar energy harvesting has been designed and optimized for 28.3 THz applications.