Understanding intermediate-band solar cells

Luque, A., Marti, A. and Stanley, C.R. (2012) Understanding intermediate-band solar cells. Nature Photonics, 6(3), pp. 146-152. (doi: 10.1038/nphoton.2012.1)

Abstract

The intermediate-band solar cell is designed to provide a large photogenerated current while maintaining a high output voltage. To make this possible, these cells incorporate an energy band that is partially filled with electrons within the forbidden bandgap of a semiconductor. Photons with insufficient energy to pump electrons from the valence band to the conduction band can use this intermediate band as a stepping stone to generate an electron–hole pair. Nanostructured materials and certain alloys have been employed in the practical implementation of intermediate-band solar cells, although challenges still remain for realizing practical devices. Here we offer our present understanding of intermediate-band solar cells, as well as a review of the different approaches pursed for their practical implementation. We also discuss how best to resolve the remaining technical issues.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Stanley, Professor Colin
• Authors: Luque, A., Marti, A., and Stanley, C.R.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering
• Journal Name: Nature Photonics
• ISSN: 1749-4885
• ISSN (Online): 1749-4893
• Published Online: 05 February 2012