Ripple-free, high-performance DC-DC booster based on integrated optoelectronic devices

DC-DC voltage boosters play an indispensable role in modern electronic systems. However, conventional DC-DC voltage boosters suffer from ripple noise and bulky form factors, as they depend on switching-controlled charging and discharging of capacitors and inductors for voltage conversion. These limitations restrict their broader application. In this work, we propose a ripple-free, high-performance, thin-film DC-DC booster based on integrated optoelectronic devices. The proposed device consists of a Micro-LED on the input side and a photodetector (PD) on the output side. By configuring multiple Micro-LEDs in parallel and PDs in series, we achieve ripple-free DC voltage boosting by inherently eliminating dynamic charge/discharge processes. By monolithically integrating a GaAs-based Micro-LED and an AlGaAs PD within a single epitaxial structure, we significantly enhance optical coupling efficiency while minimizing energy loss during voltage conversion. This approach effectively addresses the critical challenge of low energy conversion efficiency found in conventional optical DC-DC boost devices. It also demonstrates superior performance in ripple suppression and electromagnetic interference isolation. With a thin-film form factor, the booster is compatible with flexible substrates, allowing for compact and flexible integration into various systems. This integrated optoelectronic design offers a novel solution to the efficiency limitations of existing optical DC-DC converters, representing a breakthrough in chip-scale boost converter technology that combines ripple-free operation, high isolation, compact size, and enhanced conversion efficiency, thereby broadening the application scope of DC-DC boosters across diverse fields.