Abstract
Quantum efficiencies of more than merely one electron-hole pair per absorbed photon have recently been demonstrated for solar cells. The theoretical upper limit for solar cell conversion efficiency can thus be raised (from 30%) to 43% if photon absorption and electron-hole excitation follow a specific pathway. This pathway includes photon absorption at specific points in the Brillouin zone, and an inverse Auger effect mechanism for the multiplication of electron-hole pairs. We specify the principles and rules for optimal band structure tailoring.
Keywords
Multiple exciton generationAuger effectPhotonBrillouin zoneAbsorption (acoustics)PhysicsElectron holeElectronExcitationSemiconductorTheory of solar cellsSolar cellSolar cell efficiencyAtomic physicsOptoelectronicsOpticsQuantum mechanics
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Publication Info
- Year
- 1994
- Type
- article
- Volume
- 72
- Issue
- 24
- Pages
- 3851-3854
- Citations
- 225
- Access
- Closed
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Cite This
J.H. Werner,
Sabine Kolodinski,
H. J. Queisser
(1994).
Novel optimization principles and efficiency limits for semiconductor solar cells.
Physical Review Letters
, 72
(24)
, 3851-3854.
https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.72.3851
Identifiers
- DOI
- 10.1103/physrevlett.72.3851