Nanotechnology Application for

Solar Cells: Using Quantum Dots

to Modify Absorption Properties

Prepared by
James Fodor
Kwok Mak
Viet Huynh
 Introduction
 How Classical Solar Cells Operate
 Absorption Coefficient (α)
 Definition and Relevance of α
 Physical Techniques for Measuring α
 Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers
 Reasons for Interest Into Quantum Dot Light Absorption
 Definition of a Quantum Dot
 Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot
 Comparison of α versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot
 Researchers working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dots
 Dr. Sheila Baily
 Dr. Ryne Raffaelle
 Problem Statement – Determining the most optically absorbent
semiconductor material
 Problem Solution
 Explanation of Theory
 Results
 Introduction
 How Classical Solar Cells Operate
 Absorption Coefficient (α)
 Definition and Relevance of α
 Physical Techniques for Measuring α
 Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers
 Reasons for Interest Into Quantum Dot Light Absorption
 Definition of a Quantum Dot
 Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot
 Comparison of α versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot
 Researchers working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dots
 Dr. Ryne Raffaelle
 Dr. Sheila Baily
 Problem Statement – Determining the most optically absorbent
semiconductor material
 Problem Solution
 Explanation of Thoery
 Results
How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2
How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2
How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2
How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2
How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2
How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2
How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2
How Classical Solar Cells Operate1,2
 Introduction
 How Classical Solar Cells Operate
 Absorption Coefficient (α)
 Definition and Relevance of α
 Physical Techniques for Measuring α
 Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers
 Reasons for Interest Into Quantum Dot Light Absorption
 Definition of a Quantum Dot
 Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot
 Comparison of α versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot
 Researchers working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dots
 Dr. Ryne Raffaelle
 Dr. Sheila Baily
 Problem Statement – Determining the most optically absorbent
semiconductor material
 Problem Solution
 Explanation of Thoery
 Results
 Absorption Coefficient α –
Definition and Relevance of α3

 Definition of Absorption Coefficient α

A measure of the rate in decrease of
electromagnetic radiation (as light) as
it passes through a given substance;
the fraction of incident radiant energy
absorbed per unit mass or thickness of
an absorber.
 Absorption Coefficient α –
Definition and Relevance of α3

 Unit of Absorption Coefficient α

 The units of α are per length (cm-1)
 Absorption Coefficient α –
Definition and Relevance of α3

 Unit of Absorption Coefficient α

 The units of α are per length (cm-1)
 Absorption Coefficient α –
Definition and Relevance of α4

 Absorption Versus Transmission

 Transmission (t): a measure of
conduction of radiant energy through a
medium, often expressed as a
percentage of energy passing through
an element or system relative to the
amount that entered.
 Absorption Coefficient α –
Definition and Relevance of α4

 Absorption Versus Transmission

 Transmission (t): a measure of
conduction of radiant energy through a
medium, often expressed as a
percentage of energy passing through
an element or system relative to the
amount that entered.
 Absorption Coefficient α –
Definition and Relevance of α4

 Absorption Versus Transmission

 Transmission (t): a measure of
conduction of radiant energy through a
medium, often expressed as a
percentage of energy passing through
an element or system relative to the
amount that entered.
10
10

α ( t)

0
0 0.2 0.4 0.6 0.8
0 t 1
 Absorption Coefficient α –
Physical Techniques for Measuring
α5,6

 Optical Transmission Measurement

 t – Measured transmission
 l – Sample thickness
 R - Reflectance

2 − α ⋅l
( 1 − R) e
t :=
2 − 2α ⋅ l
1 − R ⋅e
 Introduction
 How Classical Solar Cells Operate
 Absorption Coefficient (α)
 Definition and Relevance of α
 Physical Techniques for Measuring α
 Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers
 Why We Are Interested
 Definition of a Quantum Dot
 Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot
 Comparison of α versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot
 Researchers working on Nano-coating
 Dr. Ryne Raffaelle
 Dr. Sheila Baily
 Problem Statement – Determining the most optically absorbent
semiconductor material
 Problem Solution
 Explanation of Theory
 Results
 Light Absorption of Quantum Dots –
Why We Are Interested7,8,13
 These structures have great
potential for optoelectronic
applications, one of which may be
solar cells
 Standard solar cells have a
theoretical upper conversion rate of
33%, the theoretical limit on the
conversion of sunlight to electricity
is 67%
Light Absorption of Quantum Dots –
Definition of a Quantum Dot9

Quantum Dot
Light Absorption of Quantum Dots –
Definition of a Quantum Dot9

Quantum Dot Layer

Light Absorption of Quantum Dots –
Definition of a Quantum Dot9

Quantum Dot Layer

 Light Absorption of Quantum Dots –
Formula7
 _

 Vav = Average Dot Volume

 pfi = 2d momentum matrix element

 a = polarization of light

 N(ћω) = density of states

 Light Absorption of Quantum Dots –
Formula12
 Transmission for Quantum dots.
 For transmission through n planes of dots, each having
the same dot density N and each dot experiencing the
same optical field amplitude, the transmission fraction is:
 Tn=(1-σN)n ≈ (1-nσN) ; (σN << 1)
 σ represents a cross section of the layer
 Light Absorption of Quantum Dots –
Comparison of α versus Energy for Bulk
Material and Quantum Dot9
 Light Absorption of Quantum Dots –
Comparison of α versus Energy for Bulk
Material and Quantum Dot
 Light Absorption of Quantum Dots –
Comparison of α versus Energy for Bulk
Material and Quantum Dot
 Light Absorption of Quantum Dots –
Comparison of α versus Energy for Bulk
Material and Quantum Dot7
 Light Absorption of Quantum Dots –
Comparison of α versus Energy for Bulk
Material and Quantum Dot7
 Introduction
 How Classical Solar Cells Operate
 Absorption Coefficient (α)
 Definition and Relevance of α
 Physical Techniques for Measuring α
 Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers
 Reasons for Interest Into Quantum Dot Light Absorption
 Definition of a Quantum Dot
 Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot
 Comparison of α versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot
 Researchers working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dots
 Dr. Ryne Raffaelle
 Dr. Sheila Baily
 Problem Statement – Determining the most optically absorbent
semiconductor material
 Problem Solution
 Explanation of Theory
 Results
 Researchers Working on Light
Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers
 Dr. Sheila Bailey
 Using quantum dots in a solar cell to create an
intermediate band
 IEEE Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC)
Executive Committee since 1987

http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/RT2001/5000/5410bailey1.html
 Researchers Working on Light
Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers11
 Dr. Ryne Raffaelle
 Rochester Institute of Technology
 NanoPower Laboratories
 Organic and Plastic Solar Cells Combined
with Quantum Dot Layers

http://www.physlink.com/News/Images/QDots1_lg.jpg
 Introduction
 How Classical Solar Cells Operate
 Absorption Coefficient (α)
 Definition and Relevance of α
 Physical Techniques for Measuring α
 Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers
 Reasons for Interest Into Quantum Dot Light Absorption
 Definition of a Quantum Dot
 Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot
 Comparison of α versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot
 Researchers working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dots
 Dr. Ryne Raffaelle
 Dr. Sheila Baily
 Problem Statement – Determining the most optically absorbent
semiconductor material
 Problem Solution
 Explanation of Theory
 Results
 Problem Solution –
Explanation of theory
Photon Absorption
nr αz
E = Eo exp[iω ( − t )] exp(− )
c 2
 z = propagation direction
 nr = refractive index
 omega = frequency
 alpha = absorption coefficient
 Laws of Conservation
 Energy Photon Emission
 Momentum
πe 2  1
α= | (a * p) if |2 N cv (ω )
ε o cnr mo ω
2

2 (mr ) 3 / 2 (ω − E g )1 / 2
*

N cv (ω ) =
π 2 3
(a * p ) if | 2 = 2 p 2 cv
3
p 2 cv Figures based on Singh
= 20 ~ 24 eV
mo textbook
Problem Statement – Determining the
most optically absorbent
semiconductor bulk

 Consider InP and GaAs as being the available

semiconductors to create a solar cell. This solar
cell will be a hybrid, consisting of a traditional solar
cell created with either InP or GaAs, and coating
layers of quantum dots of either InP or GaAs. If
maximizing absorption is the only criteria for
designing the solar cell, which material should be
used for the bulk? Which should be used for the
quantum dot layers? Assume the density of states
for quantum dot layers of both materials is equal
and occurs at the same point, E = .1eV, and that
the polarization-momentum product sum is the
same in both cases.
 Problem Statement – Determining the
most optically absorbent
semiconductor bulk

 Absorption coefficient of InP and

GaAs
 Required constants by material14
Material Electron Hole Mass Calculated Eg Lattice Refractive
Mass (mo) (mo) reduced (eV) Constant index
mass (mo) (A) (nr)

Gallium 0.067 mhh * = 0.45 mr* =0.058 1.5 5.65 3.65

Arsenide, GaAs

Indium 0.073 mhh * = 0.45 mr* =0.058 1.34 5.87 3

Phosphide, InP
 Introduction
 How Classical Solar Cells Operate
 Absorption Coefficient (α)
 Definition and Relevance of α
 Physical Techniques for Measuring α
 Light Absorption of Quantum Dot Layers
 Reasons for Interest Into Quantum Dot Light Absorption
 Definition of a Quantum Dot
 Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot
 Comparison of α versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot
 Researchers working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dots
 Dr. Ryne Raffaelle
 Dr. Sheila Baily
 Problem Statement – Determining the most optically absorbent
semiconductor material
 Problem Solution
 Explanation of Theory
 Results
Problem Solution –
Results: GaAs Bulk
Problem Solution –
Results: InP Bulk
Problem Solution –
Results
 Problem Solution –
Results: GaAs Quantum Dot Layer
 Problem Solution –
Results: InP Quantum Dot Layer
 Conclusion
 How Classical Solar Cells Operate
 Absorption Coefficient (α)
 Definition and Relevance of α
 Physical Techniques for Measuring α
 Light Absorption of Quantum Dots
 Reasons for Interest Into Quantum Dot Light Absorption
 Definition of a Quantum Dot
 Formula for Light Absorption of a Quantum Dot
 Comparison of α versus Energy for Bulk Material and Quantum Dot
 Researchers working on Light Absorption of Quantum Dots
 Dr. Ryne Raffaelle
 Dr. Sheila Baily
 Problem Statement – Determining the most optically absorbent
semiconductor material
 Problem Solution
 Explanation of Theory
 Results
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