Student research opportunities
Opto-electronic design of nanostructured solar cells
Project Code: CECS_897
This project is available at the following levels:
PhD
Please note that this project is only for higher degree (postgraduate) applicants.
Keywords:
Photovoltaics Solar cells Nanophotonics Opto-electronics
Supervisor:
Dr Tom WhiteOutline:
Nanophotonic structures can enable near-perfect light absorption in very thin semiconductor films – thousands of times thinner than conventional solar cells. If such thin, highly-absorbing films can be exploited in future solar cells they could provide a low-cost alternative to current PV technology. Strong absorption, however, does not guarantee an efficient solar cell, since patterning the absorbing layer to improve light absorption can dramatically alter the electrical properties. Thus, high efficiencies can only be achieved by engineering the optical and electronic properties simultaneously.
This project aims to develop a better understanding of the optical and electronic properties of nanostructured semiconductor films. It will involve the use of sophisticated optical and semiconductor simulation software to develop coupled optoelectronic models for nanostructured thin film solar cells. These models will be applied to a range of advanced thin-film solar cell structures in order to optimize their performance.
Goals of this project
Develop coupled opto-electronic modelling tools for studying nanostructured thin film solar cells.
Study the influence of wavelength- and sub-wavelength scale light trapping structures on the carrier extraction and recombination properties of thin film solar cells.
Design nanostructured absorbing layers with optimized optical and electronic properties.
Requirements/Prerequisites
A strong background and interest in semiconductor physics and optics/photonics is essential for this project.
Some computer modeling or programming experience in Matlab, Mathematica or COMSOL would be useful but not essential.
Student Gain
Photonics/semiconductor modelling expertise
Understanding of nanophotonic light trapping schemes
Experience in advanced thin film solar cell concepts
Background Literature
Reading materials can be provided on request
