A dynamic picture of energy conversion in photovoltaic devices
Autor: | Alicki, Robert, Gelbwaser-Klimovsky, David, Jenkins, Alejandro, von Hauff, Elizabeth |
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Rok vydání: | 2019 |
Předmět: | |
Druh dokumentu: | Working Paper |
Popis: | Studies of emerging photovoltaics, such as organic and perovskite solar cells, have recently shown that the separation of photo-generated charge carriers is correlated with non-thermal, coherent oscillations within the illuminated device. We consider this experimental evidence in light of results from the theory of open quantum systems that point to the need for a self-oscillating internal capacitor, acting as a microscopic piston, to explain how an illuminated solar cell operates as an autonomous heat engine. We propose a picture of work extraction by photovoltaic devices that supersedes the quasi-static descriptions prevalent in the literature. Finally, we argue that such a dialogue between condensed matter physics and quantum thermodynamics may offer a guide for the design of new energy transducers. Comment: 20 pages, 4 figures |
Databáze: | arXiv |
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