My research delves into the critical role of public-private interactions in successfully bringing solar technology to market, with a unique emphasis on how these collaborations are influenced by their geographic location. I investigated the solar startup landscape in the United States, particularly focusing on how public funding impacts the success of small businesses in securing further investment.
A key finding from my work is that public funding provided to solar entrepreneurial hubs – like Silicon Valley, Los Angeles/San Diego, and Boston – has a disproportionately significant effect on a company’s ability to attract subsequent private investment. This suggests that the impact of public support is not uniform across the country; instead, it largely depends on the local investment environment in which a company operates. My analysis establishes a causal link between federal public funding and the success of a small business in soliciting private follow-on investment, even when accounting for various company and environmental factors. This research provides crucial insights for policymakers and investors, highlighting that robust local investor ecosystems and independent technology validation in the same location are vital components for accelerating the commercialization of solar technology.
My research has focused on developing cutting-edge solutions for antireflection coatings, specifically by harnessing the power of metasurfaces. Traditional antireflection techniques often have limitations in terms of the range of light they can effectively manage, but my work has sought to overcome these challenges.
I have explored the design and implementation of high-index metasurfaces that uniquely combine both Mie and Fabry-Pérot resonances. This innovative approach allows for precise control over how light interacts with a surface, enabling us to significantly reduce unwanted reflections. A key achievement has been the development of broadband antireflection coatings employing multi-resonant metasurfaces, which means these coatings can effectively minimize reflections across a wide spectrum of light wavelengths. This work has significant implications for improving the efficiency of solar cells, optical sensors, and various imaging systems by ensuring more light is transmitted into the desired device rather than being reflected away.
My research has extensively explored the exciting frontier of nanophotonics and plasmonics, focusing on engineering light at the nanoscale for a variety of advanced applications. A central theme in my work involves designing and utilizing nanoantennas to control and enhance light-matter interactions. For instance, I’ve demonstrated the creation of superabsorbing, artificial metal films by constructing them from semiconductor nanoantennas, showcasing a novel way to manipulate light absorption beyond conventional limits. I have also investigated the intricate photonic-plasmonic coupling between gallium arsenide (GaAs) single nanowires and optical nanoantennas, which allows for precise control of light and its interaction with matter. This work extended to developing photonic-plasmonic coupled nanoantennas for polarization-controlled multispectral nanofocusing, enabling unprecedented control over light’s focus and polarization at the nanoscale.
Beyond fundamental light manipulation, my research has delved into nonlinear optical phenomena, specifically second-harmonic generation (SHG). I’ve explored how SHG scales with the size of gold nanoparticles and demonstrated significantly enhanced second-harmonic generation from novel InAs nano-wing structures grown on silicon. My work also includes generating second harmonic radiation from sub-stoichiometric silicon nitride thin films, highlighting new material platforms for nonlinear optics. Furthermore, I’ve developed and characterized vertical III-V V-shaped membranes epitaxially grown on patterned Si(001) substrates, showing their enhanced light scattering properties. Collectively, my research has contributed to pushing the boundaries of nanoscale optics, providing foundational knowledge and practical designs for next-generation optoelectronic devices, sensors, and energy technologies. the boundaries of nanoscale optics, providing foundational knowledge and practical designs for next-generation optoelectronic devices, sensors, and energy technologies.
These projects have been funded partly by Boston University under a program supported by AFOSR – Air Force Office of Scientific Research Program and by Stanford University.
Peer-reviewed publications
template-efp.php
template-efp.php
template-efp.php
template-efp.php
template-efp.php
template-efp.php
template-efp.php
Conference proceedings
Integration of metallic nanostructures on nanowires for modification of their optical properties A. Casadei, E. Alarcon-Llado, E. F. Pecora, J. Trevino, C. Forestiere, D. Ruffer, E. Russo-Averchi, F. Matteini, G. Tutuncuoglu, M. Heiss, L. Dal Negro, A. Fontcuberta i Morral Frontiers in Nanophotonics, CSF Conference 2015
Second harmonic excitation spectroscopy in studies of Fano-type coupling in plasmonic arrays G. F. Walsh, J. Tervino, E. F. Pecora, L. Dal Negro SPIE Optics + Photonics 2015
Engineering light coupling in single nanowire with metal nano-antennas A. Casadei, J. Trevino, E. F. Pecora, E. Alarcò- Lladò, D. Ruffer, E. Russo-Averchi, G. Tutuncuoglu, F. Matteini, C. Forestiere, L. Dal Negro, A. Fontcuberta i Morral International Conference on One dimensional Nanomaterials ICON 2013
Second-harmonic generation from plasmonic nanoantennas and arrays A. Capretti, C. Forestiere, E. F. Pecora, G. Walsh, J. Trevino, S. Minissale, L. Dal Negro, G. Miano The International Conference on Surface Plasmon Photonics SPP6
Second-harmonic generation in substoichiometric silicon nitride layers E. F. Pecora, A. Capretti, G. Miano, L. Dal Negro Bulletin of the American Physical Society, vol. 58, V1.00119
My research has been dedicated to unlocking the potential of silicon (Si) at the nanoscale to develop efficient light-emitting materials, a critical step toward integrating optics directly into silicon-based electronics. A central theme throughout my work has been the investigation of quantum confinement effects in both ultrathin silicon nanowires and silicon nanocrystals. These tiny structures behave differently from bulk silicon, enabling them to emit visible light, a property not typically associated with silicon.
I’ve explored various strategies to enhance this light emission, including nanopatterning of silicon nanowires, which we found significantly boosts their visible photoluminescence. My studies have also delved into the practical aspects of these materials, examining the temperature dependence and aging effects on silicon nanowires photoluminescence to understand their long-term stability and performance. Furthermore, I’ve demonstrated electroluminescence in ultrathin silicon nanowires, notably fabricating these structures using a novel maskless etching technique, which simplifies the manufacturing process. This comprehensive body of work highlights my contributions to understanding and controlling light emission from silicon at the nanoscale, paving the way for silicon-based light sources in future photonic devices.
These projects have been funded partly by University of Catania and performed during my M.Sc. Program and my PhD course, and by Boston University under a program supported by AFOSR – Air Force Office of Scientific Research Program.
My research has extensively explored the intricate behavior of boron (B) atoms within both crystalline and amorphous silicon (Si), which is a critical area for semiconductor device fabrication. Understanding how boron moves and organizes itself within silicon is essential for controlling the electrical properties of integrated circuits.
My investigations have focused on unraveling the mechanisms of boron diffusion, providing experimental evidence and theoretical insights into how boron spreads through these silicon structures. A significant part of my work has involved studying boron clustering in amorphous silicon, revealing how boron atoms can group together, which directly impacts their electrical activation and overall device performance. We’ve specifically looked into the concept of indirect diffusion of boron atoms in both crystalline and amorphous silicon, shedding light on the complex pathways these atoms take. This comprehensive research has clarified the fundamental processes governing boron behavior, offering crucial knowledge for optimizing doping profiles and improving the performance and reliability of silicon-based electronic devices.
My research has delved into the exciting field of light-emitting materials, with a particular focus on developing innovative solutions for silicon (Si)-based microphotonics and near-infrared light-emitting devices. A central theme in my work has been the incorporation of rare-earth elements, especially Erbium (Er), into various semiconductor host materials to achieve desired optical properties.
Specifically, I have explored the potential of Erbium-doped Si-rich Zinc Oxide (ZnO) for creating multiband near-infrared light emitters, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for integrated optical devices. My investigations have also thoroughly examined Erbium-based materials for silicon microphotonics, addressing the critical need for efficient light sources that can be integrated directly onto silicon chips. A significant part of this work involved understanding the role of silicon excess on the excitation mechanisms of Erbium in silicon oxide (SiOx), providing crucial insights into how these materials interact at the atomic level to produce light. Furthermore, I have characterized the luminescence properties of Erbium implanted silicon nanoclusters, demonstrating their potential for highly localized light emission. This body of research collectively contributes to advancing the fundamental understanding and practical application of rare-earth doped semiconductors, paving the way for next-generation photonic integrated circuits and high-performance near-infrared devices.
These projects have been funded partly by University of Catania and performed during my PhD course, and by Boston University under a program supported by AFOSR – Air Force Office of Scientific Research Program.
My research has extensively explored the fascinating world of silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) nanowires, focusing on their fundamental growth mechanisms, structural control, and even their mechanical manipulation at the nanoscale. A significant portion of my work has centered on using electron beam evaporation as a precise method for growing these nanowires, allowing us to delve into the kinetics of their growth and achieve heteroepitaxial growth of Ge nanowires directly on Si substrates, including understanding their unique faceting behaviors. I’ve also focused on gaining control over the growth mechanisms and orientation of epitaxial Si nanowires, which is crucial for their integration into future technologies.
Beyond growth, my investigations have unveiled the remarkable properties of these tiny structures under external influences. My work has demonstrated and analyzed nanoscale amorphization, bending, and subsequent recrystallization in silicon nanowires, showing how they react to stress at the atomic level. Furthermore, I’ve specifically studied ion beam-induced bending of silicon nanowires, offering insights into directed manipulation techniques. We’ve also examined the subtle yet critical influence of oxygen contamination and the properties of gold (Au) catalyst clusters on the resulting structural features of Si nanowires, providing a comprehensive understanding of the factors that govern their final form. This body of research collectively contributes to a deeper understanding of nanowire science, paving the way for their application in areas like advanced electronics, sensors, and energy devices.
These projects have been funded partly by University of Catania and CSFNSM (Growth and characterization of Si and Ge nanowires), and performed during my PhD course.
