A dynamic picture of energy conversion in photovoltaic devices

Autor:	Alicki, Robert, Gelbwaser-Klimovsky, David, Jenkins, Alejandro, von Hauff, Elizabeth
Rok vydání:	2019
Předmět:	Physics - Applied Physics Condensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics Condensed Matter - Statistical Mechanics
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
Externí odkaz:	http://arxiv.org/abs/1901.10873 Zobrazit plný text záznamu View this record from Arxiv