Two-step photon up-conversion solar cell: propose and demonstration

S. Asahi; T. Kita

doi:10.1117/12.2292681

16 February 2018 Two-step photon up-conversion solar cell: propose and demonstration

S. Asahi, T. Kita

Proceedings Volume 10527, Physics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices VII; 105270G (2018) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2292681
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2018, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

We have proposed a two-step photon up-conversion solar cell (TPU-SC), which is a single junction solar cell comprising a wide gap semiconductor (WGS) and a narrow gap semiconductor (NGS) to break through the Shockley–Queisser limit for the single-junction solar cells. In the TPU-SC, below-gap photons of WGS excite the NGS and accumulate electrons at the WGS / NGS hetero-interface. The accumulated electrons at the hetero-interface are easily excited towards the WGS barrier by the low-energy photons, resulting in the efficient two-step up-conversion (TPU). We have experimentally demonstrated highly efficient current generation by the TPU. In this paper, we present the concept of the TPU-SC, theoretical prediction of the conversion efficiency of the TPU-SC, and experimental result of efficient photocarrier collection attributable to the TPU phenomenon.

Citation Download Citation

S. Asahi and T. Kita "Two-step photon up-conversion solar cell: propose and demonstration", Proc. SPIE 10527, Physics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices VII, 105270G (16 February 2018); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2292681

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