Nanotechnology Application for Solar Cells: Using Quantum Dots to Modify Absorption Properties

Prepared by James Fodor Kwok Mak Viet Huynh

Introduction

How Classical Solar Cells Operate Absorption Coefficient ()

Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers

Definition and Relevance of Physical Techniques for Measuring

Researchers working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dots

Reasons for Interest Into Quantum Dot Light Absorption Definition of a Quantum Dot Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot Comparison of versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot Dr. Sheila Baily Dr. Ryne Raffaelle

Problem Statement Determining the most optically absorbent semiconductor material Problem Solution

Explanation of Theory Results

Introduction

How Classical Solar Cells Operate Absorption Coefficient ()

Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers

Definition and Relevance of Physical Techniques for Measuring

Researchers working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dots

Reasons for Interest Into Quantum Dot Light Absorption Definition of a Quantum Dot Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot Comparison of versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot Dr. Ryne Raffaelle Dr. Sheila Baily

Problem Statement Determining the most optically absorbent semiconductor material Problem Solution

Explanation of Thoery Results

How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2

How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2

How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2

How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2

How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2

How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2

How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2

How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2

Introduction

How Classical Solar Cells Operate Absorption Coefficient ()

Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers

Definition and Relevance of Physical Techniques for Measuring

Researchers working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dots

Reasons for Interest Into Quantum Dot Light Absorption Definition of a Quantum Dot Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot Comparison of versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot Dr. Ryne Raffaelle Dr. Sheila Baily

Problem Statement Determining the most optically absorbent semiconductor material Problem Solution

Explanation of Thoery Results

Absorption Coefficient Definition and Relevance of 3

Definition of Absorption Coefficient

A measure of the rate in decrease of electromagnetic radiation (as light) as it passes through a given substance; the fraction of incident radiant energy absorbed per unit mass or thickness of an absorber.

Absorption Coefficient Definition and Relevance of 3

Unit of Absorption Coefficient

The units of are per length (cm-1)

Absorption Coefficient Definition and Relevance of 3

Unit of Absorption Coefficient

The units of are per length (cm-1)

Absorption Coefficient Definition and Relevance of 4

Absorption Versus Transmission

Transmission (t): a measure of conduction of radiant energy through a medium, often expressed as a percentage of energy passing through an element or system relative to the amount that entered.

Absorption Coefficient Definition and Relevance of 4

Absorption Versus Transmission

Transmission (t): a measure of conduction of radiant energy through a medium, often expressed as a percentage of energy passing through an element or system relative to the amount that entered.

Absorption Coefficient Definition and Relevance of 4

Absorption Versus Transmission

Transmission (t): a measure of conduction of radiant energy through a medium, often expressed as a percentage of energy passing through an element or system relative to the amount that entered.
10 10 8

6 ( t) 4

0 0 0 0.2 0.4 t 0.6 0.8 1

Absorption Coefficient Physical Techniques for Measuring 5,6

Optical Transmission Measurement

t Measured transmission l Sample thickness R - Reflectance

( 1 R) e 1 R e

2 l

2 2 l

Introduction

How Classical Solar Cells Operate Absorption Coefficient ()

Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers

Definition and Relevance of Physical Techniques for Measuring

Researchers working on Nano-coating

Why We Are Interested Definition of a Quantum Dot Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot Comparison of versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot Dr. Ryne Raffaelle Dr. Sheila Baily

Problem Statement Determining the most optically absorbent semiconductor material Problem Solution

Explanation of Theory Results

Light Absorption of Quantum Dots Why We Are Interested7,8,13

These structures have great potential for optoelectronic applications, one of which may be solar cells Standard solar cells have a theoretical upper conversion rate of 33%, the theoretical limit on the conversion of sunlight to electricity is 67%

Light Absorption of Quantum Dots Definition of a Quantum Dot9

Quantum Dot

Light Absorption of Quantum Dots Definition of a Quantum Dot9

Quantum Dot Layer

Light Absorption of Quantum Dots Definition of a Quantum Dot9

Quantum Dot Layer

Light Absorption of Quantum Dots Formula7

_ Vav = Average Dot Volume pfi = 2d momentum matrix element a = polarization of light N() = density of states

Light Absorption of Quantum Dots Formula12

Transmission for Quantum dots.

For transmission through n planes of dots, each having the same dot density N and each dot experiencing the same optical field amplitude, the transmission fraction is:
Tn=(1-N)n (1-nN) ; (N << 1)

represents a cross section of the layer

Light Absorption of Quantum Dots Comparison of versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot9

Light Absorption of Quantum Dots Comparison of versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot

Light Absorption of Quantum Dots Comparison of versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot

Light Absorption of Quantum Dots Comparison of versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot7

Light Absorption of Quantum Dots Comparison of versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot7

Introduction

How Classical Solar Cells Operate Absorption Coefficient ()

Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers

Definition and Relevance of Physical Techniques for Measuring

Researchers working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dots

Reasons for Interest Into Quantum Dot Light Absorption Definition of a Quantum Dot Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot Comparison of versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot Dr. Ryne Raffaelle Dr. Sheila Baily

Problem Statement Determining the most optically absorbent semiconductor material Problem Solution

Explanation of Theory Results

Researchers Working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers

Dr. Sheila Bailey Using quantum dots in a solar cell to create an intermediate band IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC) Executive Committee since 1987

http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/RT2001/5000/5410bailey1.html

Researchers Working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers11

Dr. Ryne Raffaelle Rochester Institute of Technology NanoPower Laboratories Organic and Plastic Solar Cells Combined with Quantum Dot Layers

http://www.physlink.com/News/Images/QDots1_lg.jpg

Introduction

How Classical Solar Cells Operate Absorption Coefficient ()

Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers

Definition and Relevance of Physical Techniques for Measuring

Researchers working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dots

Reasons for Interest Into Quantum Dot Light Absorption Definition of a Quantum Dot Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot Comparison of versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot Dr. Ryne Raffaelle Dr. Sheila Baily

Problem Statement Determining the most optically absorbent semiconductor material Problem Solution

Explanation of Theory Results

Problem Solution Explanation of theory

Photon Absorption

E Eo exp[i (

nr z t )]exp( ) c 2

z = propagation direction nr = refractive index omega = frequency alpha = absorption coefficient

Laws of Conservation

e 2

Energy Momentum

Photon Emission

o cnr mo 2

1 | (a * p) if |2 N cv ( )
*

N cv ( )

2 ( m r ) 3 / 2 ( E g )1 / 2

2 3
Figures based on Singh textbook

(a * p) if | 2 2 p 2 cv 3
p 2 cv 20 ~ 24eV mo

Problem Statement Determining the most optically absorbent semiconductor bulk

Consider InP and GaAs as being the available semiconductors to create a solar cell. This solar cell will be a hybrid, consisting of a traditional solar cell created with either InP or GaAs, and coating layers of quantum dots of either InP or GaAs. If maximizing absorption is the only criteria for designing the solar cell, which material should be used for the bulk? Which should be used for the quantum dot layers? Assume the density of states for quantum dot layers of both materials is equal and occurs at the same point, E = .1eV, and that the polarization-momentum product sum is the same in both cases.

Problem Statement Determining the most optically absorbent semiconductor bulk

Material

Absorption coefficient of InP and GaAs Required constants by material14

Electron Mass (mo) Hole Mass (mo) Calculated reduced mass (mo) Eg (eV) Lattice Constant (A) Refractive index (nr)

Gallium Arsenide, GaAs

Indium Phosphide, InP

0.067

mhh* = 0.45

mr* =0.058

1.5

5.65

3.65

0.073

mhh* = 0.45

mr* =0.058

1.34

5.87

Introduction

How Classical Solar Cells Operate Absorption Coefficient ()

Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers

Definition and Relevance of Physical Techniques for Measuring

Researchers working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dots

Reasons for Interest Into Quantum Dot Light Absorption Definition of a Quantum Dot Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot Comparison of versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot Dr. Ryne Raffaelle Dr. Sheila Baily

Problem Statement Determining the most optically absorbent semiconductor material Problem Solution

Explanation of Theory Results

Problem Solution Results: GaAs Bulk

Problem Solution Results: InP Bulk

Problem Solution Results

Problem Solution Results: GaAs Quantum Dot Layer

Problem Solution Results: InP Quantum Dot Layer

Conclusion

How Classical Solar Cells Operate Absorption Coefficient ()

Light Absorption of Quantum Dots

Definition and Relevance of Physical Techniques for Measuring Reasons for Interest Into Quantum Dot Light Absorption Definition of a Quantum Dot Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot Comparison of versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot Dr. Ryne Raffaelle Dr. Sheila Baily

Researchers working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dots

Problem Statement Determining the most optically absorbent semiconductor material Problem Solution

Explanation of Theory Results

References
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