Author: Abu Syed Mahajumi
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages :

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Author: Jonathan Boyle
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Indium arsenide
Languages : en
Pages : 0

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Book Description
Increasing the efficiency of solar cell technology is one of the current research aims being under taken in order to help supply growing global energy demands. The research presented in this thesis contributes to the current materials hunt for suitable candidates for an Intermediate Band Solar Cell (IBSC). A background on other "third generation" photovoltaic concepts along with details about the IBSC concept is also presented. The research presented in this thesis contains theoretical and experimental work on a quantum dot (QD) nanostructure. The structure contains a GaAs substrate, followed by a 10 nm GaAs 1-x Sb x barrier, a single layer of InAs QDs, followed by another 10 nm GaAs 1-x Sb x barrier and then capped by a thick GaAs layer. Theoretical calculations that accounted for strain were performed for a range of Sb compositions (x=0.04, 0.12, 0.14, 0.18, 0.22, 0.26, 0.30), for a QD of modeled size of 40 nm x 40 nm x 5 nm (WxLxH) at 4.4 K. Three samples containing the above structure were also studied by time integrated- and time resolved-photoluminescence. The samples had a 12% Sb concentration, but varied by their GaAs 1-x Sb x barrier thicknesses. Sample A had symmetric Sb barriers of 20 nm for the bottom and 20 nm for the top. Sample B had symmetric barriers of 10 nm for the bottom and 10 nm for the top, while sample C had asymmetric barriers of 30 nm for the bottom and 10 nm for the top. The samples were studied for temperature dependence for the range of 4.4 K to 300 K, and for excitation dependence from ~3 W/cm 2 -225 W/cm 2.

Author: Anup Pancholi
Publisher: ProQuest
ISBN: 9780549924562
Category : Gallium arsenide
Languages : en
Pages :

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Book Description
The last few years have seen rapid advances in nanoscience and nanotechnology, allowing unprecedented manipulation of nanostructures controlling solar energy capture, conversion, and storage. Quantum confined nanostructures, such as quantum wells (QWs) and quantum dots (QDs) have been projected as potential candidates for the implementation of some high efficiency photovoltaic device concepts, including the intermediate band solar cell (IBSC). In this dissertation research, we investigated multiple inter-related themes, with the main objective of providing a deeper understanding of the physical and optical properties of QD structures relevant to the IBSC concept. These themes are: (i) Quantum engineering and control of energy levels in QDs, via a detailed study of the electronic coupling in multilayer QD structures; (ii) Controlled synthesis of well-organized, good quality, high volume density, and uniform-size QD arrays, in order to maximize the absorption efficiency and to ensure the coupling between the dots and the formation of the minibands; and (iii) Characterization of carrier dynamics and development of techniques to enhance the charge transport and efficient light harvesting. A major issue in a QD-based IBSC is the occurrence of charge trapping, followed by recombination in the dots, which results in fewer carriers being collected and hence low quantum efficiency. In order to collect most of the light-generated carriers, long radiative lifetimes, higher mobilities, and a lower probability of non-radiative recombination events in the solar cell would be desirable. QD size-dependent radiative lifetime and electronic coupling in multilayer QD structures were studied using photoluminescence (PL) and time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL). For the uncoupled QD structures with thick barriers between the adjacent QD layers, the radiative lifetime was found to increase with the QD size, which was attributed to increased oscillator strength in smaller size dots. On the other hand, in the sample with thin barrier and electronically coupled QDs, the radiative lifetime increases and later decreases with the dot size. This is due to the enhancement of the oscillator strength in the larger size, coherently coupled QDs. In order to improve the quality of multi-layer QD structures, strain compensated barriers were introduced between the QD layers grown on off-oriented GaAs (311)B substrate. The QD shape anisotropy resulted from the growth on off-oriented substrate was studied using polarization-dependent PL measurements both on the surface and the edge of the samples. The transverse electric mode of the edge-emitted PL showed about 5° deviation from the sample surface for the dots grown on (311)B GaAs, which was attributed to the tilted vertical alignment and the shape asymmetry of dots resulted from the substrate orientation. Significant structural quality improvements were attained by introducing strain compensated barriers, i.e., reduction of misfit dislocations and uniform dot size formation. Longer lifetime (~1 ns) and enhanced PL intensity at room temperature were obtained, compared to those in conventional multilayer (In, Ga)As/GaAs QD structures. A significant increase in the open circuit voltage (V oc) was observed for the solar cell devices fabricated with the strain compensated structures. A major issue in a QD IBSC is the occurrence of charge trapping, followed by recombination in the dots, which results in fewer carriers being collected, and hence low quantum efficiency. We proposed and studied a novel structure, in which InAs QDs were sandwiched between GaAsSb (12% Sb) strain-reducing layers (SRLs) with various thicknesses. Both short (~1 ns) and long (~4-6 ns) radiative lifetimes were measured in the dots and were attributed to type-I and type-II transitions, respectively, which were induced by the band alignment modifications at the QD/barrier interface in the structures analyzed, due to the quantum confinement effect resulting from different GaAsSb barrier thicknesses. Based on our findings, a structure with type-II QD/barrier interface with relatively long radiative recombination lifetime may be a viable candidate in designing IBSC.

Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 168

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Aim of this contract is the achievement of a high-efficiency, low-cost solar cell. The basic approach to the problem is centered upon the heteroepitaxial growth of a III-V compound material onto a single-crystal silicon wafer. The growth technique employed is metalorganic chemical vapor deposition. The silicon wafer may serve as a mechanical substrate and ohmic contact for a single-junction device, or may contain a p-n junction of its own and form the bottom cell of a two junction tandem solar cell structure. The III-V material for the single-junction case is GaAs and for the two-junction case is either GaAlAs or GaAsP, either material having the proper composition to yield a band gap of approximately 1.7 eV. Results achieved in this contract include the following: (1) a 17.6% efficient GaAs-on-Si solar cell; (2) an 18.5% efficient GaAs-on-Si concentrator solar cell at 400 suns; (3) a 24.8% efficient GaAs-on-GaAs solar cell; (4) a 28.7% efficient GaAs-on-GaAs concentrator solar cell at 200 suns; (5) measurement of the effects of dislocation density and emitter doping on GaAs cells; and (6) improvements in the growth process to achieve reproducible thin AlGaAs window layers with low recombination velocities and environmental stability.

Author: B. E. Anspaugh
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Solar batteries
Languages : en
Pages :

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Author: Southern Methodist University
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Arsenic
Languages : en
Pages : 40

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Author: Anco S. Blazev
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 8770223106
Category : Science
Languages : en
Pages : 1333

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Book Description
Natural and man-made changes in the environment create a very complex picture. This book analyzes this picture and provides snapshots of different areas of interest and to make suggestions for future work on cleaning and stabilizing the Earth's environment. Starting with conventional energy generation and moving on to renewable energies, this book analyzes and calculates their environmental impact and the lesser known aspects of their "cradle-to-grave" life cycle such as the irreversible environmental damage done during the manufacturing of solar and wind equipment and during the installation, operation, and decommissioning of large scale hydro, solar, and wind power plants.

Author: Hossein Firouzi
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category :
Languages : en
Pages : 262

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Author:
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Chemistry
Languages : en
Pages : 2002

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Book Description

Author: P. Jayarama Reddy
Publisher: CRC Press
ISBN: 0415621100
Category : Technology & Engineering
Languages : en
Pages : 266

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Book Description
This book offers a global perspective of the current state of affairs in the field of solar power engineering. In four parts, this well-researched volume informs about: Established solar PV (photovoltaic) technologies Third-generation PV technologies based on new materials with potential for low-cost large-scale production Solar cell technology based on new (third-generation) concepts, such as quantum dot solar cells and nano wire solar cells using silicon and compound semiconductors Economic implications and effects, as well as policies and incentives in various countries of the world involved with solar energy implementation In addition to discussing manufacturing facts and implementation issues, this book emphasizes the implications of policy measures in countries with good PV activity, such as Japan, China, India, Germany, Spain, France, Italy, the United States, and Canada. This volume is intended as a reference for a global audience of advanced students and R&D and industry professionals, as well as investors and policy-makers with fundamental knowledge of photovoltaic technology.