Spectral Response Training System

Spectral Response Meter www.kwattsolutions.
com
2019
SPECTRAL REPONSE TRAINING

SYSTEM
Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai TN
OPERATIONAL & TRAINING MANUAL
1
Spectral Response Meter www.kwattsolutions.com
2019
Contents
Parts of the Spectral Response Training Kit ............................................................................................... 4
1. Calibrated Solar Cell ..................................................................................................................... 4
2. Experimental Solar Cell ................................................................................................................ 4
3. Tray for fixing the cell .................................................................................................................. 5
4. Cell Connection ............................................................................................................................ 5
5. Powering the tool ........................................................................................................................ 6
6. Control switch .............................................................................................................................. 6
7. LED’s of different Wavelength .................................................................................................... 7
8. Rotating Mechanism.................................................................................................................... 7
9. LED Switches ................................................................................................................................ 7
10. LCD Display ............................................................................................................................... 8
Objectives ..................................................................................................................................................... 8
Expected outcome of experiment: ............................................................................................................. 8
Quantum Efficiency.............................................................................................................................. 9
Types of quantum efficiency ............................................................................................................... 9
Relation between Spectral Response & Quantum Efficiency ......................................................... 10
Light Spectrum .................................................................................................................................. 10
Working of Spectral Response Meter: ............................................................................................. 11
Equipment’s required: ................................................................................................................................ 12
Procedure ................................................................................................................................................... 12
CALCULATIONS: ......................................................................................................................................... 13
Observation ........................................................................................................................................ 14
Results and Discussion: ............................................................................................................................. 16
Conclusion: ................................................................................................................................................. 16
Precautions................................................................................................................................................. 16
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Introduction
The ‘Spectral Response Training System’ consists of 2 Solar cells, a tray, a 12V adaptor, 20
power LED’s with different wavelength ranging from 380nm to 1060nm will give 95%
accurate results. With this training system, experiment for measuring the Spectral response
and External Quantum Efficiency of a solar cell under a uniform condition can be conducted.
The purpose of this instruction manual is to guide the user through the parts of the Spectral
Response Meter.
The different parts of the Spectral Response Meter are indicated below:
Tool input power

jack
Tray
Cell connection jack
LCD Display
20 switches for 20
different
wavelengths
Control switch for
selecting cell type
Figure 1 various parts of the Spectral Response Tool
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Parts of the Spectral Response Training Kit
The Spectral response tool consists of the following parts:
1. Calibrated Solar Cell

The tool consists of a calibrated solar cell of 0.3W which is calibrated using the highly
efficient External Quantum Efficiency (EQE) measurement system. The cell is used to
find the Incident Power on the cell for 20 different wavelengths. The cell is placed in
the tray provided for on the right side of the tool.
Figure 2 Calibrated Solar Cell
2. Experimental Solar Cell

The tool also consists of a Experimental cell of 0.3W whose Responsivity and EQE is to
be determined. The cell is placed in the tray provided on the right side of the tool.
Figure 3 Experimental Solar Cell
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3. Tray for fixing the cell

The Solar cell both calibrated as well as the experimental will be connected to the tool
using a tray provided on the right side of the tool. The cell should be fixed into the tray as
per the provided instructions and the tray should be inserted in the slot provided.
This ensures that the light coming from the LED falls properly on the solar cell
Figure 4 Tray Mechanism
4. Cell Connection
For measuring the short circuit current that will be generated from the cell due to the
incident power on it from the particular wavelength. The solar cell needs to be
connected to the tool circuitry. So, a DC jack is connected to the cell which should be
connected to the female DC jack provided below the tray.
Figure 5 Cell connection
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5. Powering the tool
Once the cells are connected, we need to power on the Spectral Response Tool, so a DC
adaptor of 12V-1A is provided along with the tool. The device can be powered by
connecting the adaptor to the female DC jack provided on the back of the tool.
Figure 6 Power jack
6. Control switch
The control pin provided in the tool can be used for selecting the type of panel we have
inserted in the tray. When the switch is in the centre the LCD will Display “Select cell
type”. Pressing the cell up will select the Calibrated cell and switching the cell down will
select the Experimental cell.
Figure 7 Control Switch
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7. LED’s of different Wavelength
The tool consists of 20 LED’s of different wavelengths ranging from 400nm to 1060nm.
Each LED is controlled by the ON/OFF switch. Each LED is driven at a constant current of
25mA.
Figure 8 Power LED's
8. Rotating Mechanism
A rotating mechanism is provided in the tool which guides the photons emitted from a
LED of a particular wavelength on the Solar cell which is fixed at certain position in the
tray. The ring rotates by itself when the particular wavelength LED is switched ON and
will position the corresponding LED right above the solar panel.
9. LED Switches
The LED switches provided are marked with their particular LED wavelength. There are
20 different switches for 20 LED’s. Only one switch can be turned at a time once the
rotating ring is positioned and the wavelength pointer points that wavelength.
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Figure 9 LED ON/OFF switch
10. LCD Display

The LCD display is used to display the power, wavelength, current and Spectral response.
Figure 10 LCD Display
Objectives:
• Observing the current generation from a solar cell for different wavelengths of light.
• Understanding the effect of Electromagnetic spectrum on Solar cell
• Observing the Spectral Response graph for different wavelengths.
Expected outcome of experiment:
• Ability to calculate the Spectral response of a solar cell.

• Ability to understand the relation between Spectral response and quantum efficiency
• Ability to understand the current generation from a solar cell at different wavelengths of
light.
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THEORY
Spectral Response
The spectral response is the ratio of the current generated by the solar cell to the power
incident on the solar cell. The output also varies with the wavelength of the incident light.
This setup helps us to evaluate the amount of current that the solar cell will produce when
exposed to different wavelengths of light.
This setup gives an understanding of how a solar cell responds to light of different
wavelengths.
Quantum Efficiency
A solar cell's quantum efficiency value indicates the amount of current that the cell will
produce when irradiated by photons of a particular wavelength. If the cell's quantum
efficiency is integrated over the whole solar electromagnetic spectrum, one can evaluate the
amount of current that the cell will produce when exposed to sunlight.
Types of quantum efficiency
Two types of quantum efficiency of a solar cell are often considered:
• External Quantum Efficiency (EQE) is the ratio of the number of charge carriers
collected by the solar cell to the number of photons of a given energy shining on the
solar cell from outside (incident photons).
• Internal Quantum Efficiency (IQE) is the ratio of the number of charge carriers collected
by the solar cell to the number of photons of a given energy that shine on the solar cell
from outside and are absorbed by the cell.
The IQE is always larger than the EQE. A low IQE indicates that the active layer of the solar
cell is unable to make good use of the photons. To measure the IQE, one first measures the
EQE of the solar device, then measures its transmission and reflection, and combines these
data to infer the IQE.
𝒄𝒖𝒓𝒓𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒈𝒆𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒅
𝑺. 𝑹 =
𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒊𝒅𝒆𝒏𝒕 𝒑𝒐𝒘𝒆𝒓 (1)
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Relation between Spectral Response & Quantum Efficiency
Spectral Response is a similar measurement, but it has different units: amperes per
Watt (A/W); (i.e. how much current comes out of the device per incoming photon of a given
energy and wavelength). Both the quantum efficiency and the Spectral response are
functions of the photons &wavelength (indicated by the subscript λ).
To convert from Spectral Response (SRλ in A/W) to Quantum Efficiency QEλ
𝑆𝑅
𝐸𝑄𝐸λ = × 1240 (2)
𝜆
Where λ is the wavelength in nm, h is the Planck constant, c is the speed of light in a vacuum,
and e is the elementary charge.
Light Spectrum
Figure 11 Light Spectrum
Electromagnetic radiations can either acts as a wave or a particle, a photon. As a wave, it is

represented by velocity, wavelength, and frequency. Light is an EM wave since the speed of
EM waves is the same as the speed of light. As a particle, EM is represented as a photon,
which transports energy. When a photon is absorbed, the electron can be moved up or
down an energy level. When it moves up, it absorbs energy, when it moves down, energy is
released. Thus, since each atom has its own distinct set of energy levels, each element emits
and absorbs different frequencies. Photons with higher energies produce shorter
wavelengths and photons with lower energies produce longer wavelengths.
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Working of Spectral Response Meter:
A solar cell's response to light of a single wavelength is its spectral response at that
wavelength multiplied by the intensity of the light. The spectral response meter is a tool
comprises of 20 different wavelengths ranging from 400nm to 1060nm. Responsivity of a
0.3W solar cell will be tested for the range of wavelengths. The solar cell will be protected
against any external light such that only the photons emitted by the LED driven at a constant
current of 20mA of a particular wavelength will be absorbed by the cell. This solar cell will
then produce the Direct current which can be measured by a current sensor incorporated
inside the tool.
There are two different cells, a calibrated cell and an experimental cell, the current produced
from calibrated cell with pre known Responsivity for 20 different wavelengths will be used
for calculating the emitted power which will be in turn used in the Experimental cell to
calculate this cell’s responsivity.
0.8
0.7
0.6
Responsivity (A/W)
0.5
0.4
0.3
0.2
0.1
0
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200
Wavelength (nm)
Figure 12: Responsivity characteristics of a Si Solar cell
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Equipment’s required:
Sr. No. Quantity Component name Technical description

1. 1 Solar cell sample 5cm*5cm, 0.3W
2. 1 Calibrated cell 5cm*5cm, 0.3W
3. 20 LED’s 1 each of different wavelength

evenly spaced in the
wavelength range 400nm to
1060nm
4. 1 LCD display 20*4
5. 1 Current sensor and Capable of sensing 100mA with

microcontroller assembly the resolution of 1mA
6. Switches & Connectors FRC Connectors Adhere to
industrial standards and safety.
Procedure
1. Check all the 20 switches for LED’s are turned OFF.

2. Place the Calibrated panel facing upside on the tray by matching the direction of arrows
indicated and then insert the tray to the slot provided on the right side of the tool.
Connect the panel wire to the connector provided with red wire to +Ve terminal and
black to –Ve terminal.
3. Connect the 5V, 1A DC adaptor to the back side of instrument and switch it on.
4. Switch the two-way Control switch to the Mode 1, i.e. calibrated cell side provided for
selecting the panel.
5. Turn ON the switch marked as 1 to switch on 380nm LED and note the current reading
displayed on the LCD display.
6. Note the wavelength and Spectral response in the observation table 1 for the calibrated
cell for respected wavelength.
7. Calculate the Power emitted from the LED of particular wavelength using eq. 1.
8. Calculate the External Quantum Efficiency using eq. 2
9. Turn OFF the respected wavelength switch which was ON, before taking the cell out in
order to maintain the correct reading.
10. Bring the control switch to the centre position.
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11. Remove the tray and replace the calibrated cell with experimental cell without
disturbing the position of rotating ring which was aligned earlier. Connect the panel
wire to the connector provided.
12. Switch the control switch to Experimental side.
13. Turn ON the switch marked as 1 to switch ON 400nm LED and note the power, current
readings and calculate the SR and EQE.
14. Turn OFF the switch and bring the Control switch to the centre position.
15. Repeat steps 6 to 16 for the next wavelengths and so on.
16. Reset the tool by switching OFF and ON after performing test for all wavelengths once,
to start the new set of testing.
17. Switch OFF all the wavelength switches first and then turn OFF the adaptor to switch
OFF the tool.
Precautions while performing the experiments:
• If the display shows any faulty errors, restart the system.

• Do not take out the cell from the tray without switching OFF the particular
wavelength switch, which will lead to inappropriate readings.
• Do not turn OFF the system after the readings for calibrated cell is noted. If done so
retake the readings for calibrated cell and then for experimental cell.
• Turn ON only one switch at a time, turning ON multiple switches simultaneously will
give faulty readings
CALCULATIONS:
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Observation
Table 1 EQE of Calibrated cell
Wavelength(λ) Current Spectral Response

Sr. No (nm) (mA) (A/W)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Graph1 Quantum Efficiency of Calibrated cell
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Table 2 EQE of experimental cell
Wavelength(λ) Current Power

Sr. No (nm) (mA) (mW)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
Graph 1 Responsivity characteristic of a experimental cell
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Results and Discussion:
1. Calculate the Spectral Response for 20 different wavelengths.

2. Calculate the External Quantum Efficiency for 20 different wavelengths.
3. Plot the Responsivity characteristics of the calibrated and experimental cell.
Conclusion:
Precautions
• Turn on only one switch at a time, turning on multiple switches simultaneously will give
faulty readings.
• Select the control switch properly
• Align the solar cell in the tray properly
• Do not touch the LCD display
• Complete the connections before switching on the set up.
• Cross check the connections before switching on the set up.
• Never connect or disconnect the cable or connector under ongoing experiment.
• Improper connections may lead to severe hazards
• Do not open the door of the cabinet
• Check the polarity of the cell properly before connecting
• Turn on the switch number properly for its corresponding LED in the slot
16

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Spectral Response Meter www.kwattsolutions.

SPECTRAL REPONSE TRAINING

OPERATIONAL & TRAINING MANUAL

Tool input power

Cell connection jack

Figure 1 various parts of the Spectral Response Tool

1. Calibrated Solar Cell

Figure 2 Calibrated Solar Cell

2. Experimental Solar Cell

Figure 3 Experimental Solar Cell

3. Tray for fixing the cell

Figure 4 Tray Mechanism

Figure 5 Cell connection

Figure 6 Power jack

Figure 7 Control Switch

Figure 8 Power LED's

Figure 9 LED ON/OFF switch

10. LCD Display

Figure 10 LCD Display

Expected outcome of experiment:

• Ability to calculate the Spectral response of a solar cell.

Types of quantum efficiency

Two types of quantum efficiency of a solar cell are often considered:

Figure 11 Light Spectrum

Electromagnetic radiations can either acts as a wave or a particle, a photon. As a wave, it is

Figure 12: Responsivity characteristics of a Si Solar cell

Sr. No. Quantity Component name Technical description

2. 1 Calibrated cell 5cm*5cm, 0.3W

3. 20 LED’s 1 each of different wavelength

5. 1 Current sensor and Capable of sensing 100mA with

1. Check all the 20 switches for LED’s are turned OFF.

Precautions while performing the experiments:

• If the display shows any faulty errors, restart the system.

Wavelength(λ) Current Spectral Response

Graph1 Quantum Efficiency of Calibrated cell

Wavelength(λ) Current Power

Graph 1 Responsivity characteristic of a experimental cell

1. Calculate the Spectral Response for 20 different wavelengths.

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