Limiting efficiencies for intermediate band solar cells with partial absorptivity: the case for a quantum ratchet
| Autor: | N. P. Hylton, Chris Phillips, Megumi Yoshida, Andreas Pusch, Ortwin Hess, Nicholas J. Ekins-Daukes, Alexander Mellor |
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| Přispěvatelé: | The Royal Society, Commission of the European Communities, European Office Of Aerospace Research & Developmen, Engineering & Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC), The Leverhulme Trust |
| Rok vydání: | 2016 |
| Předmět: |
Technology
Energy & Fuels Applied physics Materials Science Ratchet 0204 Condensed Matter Physics Thermodynamics Materials Science Multidisciplinary 02 engineering and technology 01 natural sciences Physics Applied Intermediate band 0103 physical sciences intermediate band solar cell Electrical and Electronic Engineering 0912 Materials Engineering Quantum Applied Physics 010302 applied physics Physics DOTS Science & Technology Renewable Energy Sustainability and the Environment Limiting Molar absorptivity 021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology Condensed Matter Physics Electronic Optical and Magnetic Materials limiting efficiency quantum ratchet 0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering Physical Sciences absorptivity Atomic physics 0210 nano-technology |
| Zdroj: | Progress in Photovoltaics: Research and Applications. 24:656-662 |
| ISSN: | 1099-159X 1062-7995 |
| Popis: | The intermediate band solar cell (IBSC) concept aims to improve upon the Shockley–Queisser limit for single bandgap solar cells by also making use of below bandgap photons through sequential absorption processes via an intermediate band (IB). Current proposals for IBSCs suffer from low absorptivity values for transitions into and out of the IB. We therefore devise and evaluate a general, implementation‐independent thermodynamic model for an absorptivity‐constrained limiting efficiency of an IBSC to study the impact of absorptivity limitations on IBSCs. We find that, due to radiative recombination via the IB, conventional IBSCs cannot surpass the Shockley–Queisser limit at an illumination of one Sun unless the absorptivity from the valence band to the IB and the IB to the conduction band exceeds ≈36%. In contrast, the introduction of a quantum ratchet into the IBSC to suppress radiative recombination can enhance the efficiency of an IBSC beyond the Shockley–Queisser limit for any value of the IB absorptivity. Thus, the quantum ratchet could be the vital next step to engineer IBSCs that are more efficient than conventional single‐gap solar cells. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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