Solar Cells and Photovoltaic Nanostructures

Electronic structure of semiconductors and nanostructured materials. Carrier statistics and transport. Optical processes. Recombination. Charge separation in Schottky barriers and pn-junctions. Characteristics in dark and under illumination. Loss mechanisms and efficiency in pn-junction cells. Thin-film solar cell cells: principles and processes. Tandem solar cells and intermediate-band solar cells. Focus will be given to silicon-based solar cells and solar cell processes, examples and calculations related to these materials.

The course emphasizes charge separation upon photon absorption as the central process in photovoltaic devices, and will give the student an overview of mechanisms for charge separation in conventional and nanostructured materials. The student shall also be able to perform quantitative calculations associated with these processes. Expected time: Lectures:60 hours; Laboratory and report writing:10 hours; Exercises:20 hours. Self study:110 hours.

Lectures, mandatory problem sets and laboratory exercises. If the teaching is given in English the Examination papers can be given in English only. Students are free to choose Norwegian or English for written assessments.