Novel semiconductor solar cell structures: The quantum dot intermediate band solar cell

Martí, A., López, N., Antolín, E., Cánovas, E., Stanley, C.R., Farmer, C., Cuadra, L. and Luque, A. (2006) Novel semiconductor solar cell structures: The quantum dot intermediate band solar cell. Thin Solid Films, 511-51, pp. 638-644. (doi: 10.1016/j.tsf.2005.12.122)

Abstract

The Quantum Dot Intermediate Band Solar Cell (QD-IBSC) has been proposed for studying experimentally the operating principles of a generic class of photovoltaic devices, the intermediate band solar cells (IBSC). The performance of an IBSC is based on the properties of a semiconductor-like material which is characterised by the existence of an intermediate band (IB) located within what would otherwise be its conventional bandgap. The improvement in efficiency of the cell arises from its potential (i) to absorb below bandgap energy photons and thus produce additional photocurrent, and (ii) to inject this enhanced photocurrent without degrading its output photo-voltage. The implementation of the IBSC using quantum dots (QDs) takes advantage of the discrete nature of the carrier density of states in a 0-dimensional nano-structure, an essential property for realising the IB concept. In the QD-IBSC, the IB arises from the confined electron states in an array of quantum dots. This paper reviews the operation of the first prototype QD-IBSCs and discusses some of the lessons learnt from their characterisation.

• Item Type: Articles
• Keywords: Solar cell; Quantum dots; Photovoltaics; Intermediate band
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stanley, Professor Colin
• Authors: Martí, A., López, N., Antolín, E., Cánovas, E., Stanley, C.R., Farmer, C., Cuadra, L., and Luque, A.
• Subjects: Q Science > QC Physics
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering; University Centres > Glasgow Materials Research Initiative
• Journal Name: Thin Solid Films
• ISSN: 0040-6090