Nanotechnology and Photovoltaic Devices: Light Energy Harvesting with Group IV Nanostructures

Nanotechnology and Photovoltaic Devices: Light Energy Harvesting with Group IV Nanostructures

Valenta, Jan
Mirabella, Salvo

144,56 €(IVA inc.)

Represents the first book entirely devoted to the description of the principles and experimental approaches for application of group IV nanostructures in the future generation of solar cells Features material accessible to students and newcomer researchers in the fields of solar cells and nanotechnologies Provides book chapters, each of which is devoted to an innovative concept or advanced technology with plenty of references to current scientific literature and hence serves as a systematic review of related basic principles and ideas Gives priority to the clear description of background knowledge and principles, with some historical perspectives and case studies Summary Silicon is an abundant element and is produced in large quantities for the electronic industry. The falling price of this commodity also feeds the growth of solar photovoltaics (PV). However, solar cells (SCs) based on bulk semiconductors have quite limited maximum attainable performance. Therefore, new principles and materials are being investigated to build the third generation of SCs with improved conversion efficiency achieved by the optimized harvesting of the solar spectrum, improved carrier generation, better light management, etc. The unique properties of semiconductor nanostructures (tuning of optoelectronic properties by the quantum confinement effect, stronger interaction with light, etc.) can be exploited to fabricate novel types of high-efficiency solar cells. Here, again, silicon along with carbon and germanium (group IV elements) is about to play a major role. In view of the increasing research effort devoted to nanostructures’ applications in PV, this book aims to provide a background to students and newcomer researchers as well as to point out some open questions and promising directions for future development. It presents a useful overview of group IV nanostructures for PV, which includes the theoretical background, presentation of main solar cell principles, technological aspects, and nanostructure characterization techniques, and finishes with the design and testing of prototype devices. It is not intended to be just a review of the most up-to-date literature, but the authors aim to provide an educative background of the field. All authors are renowned researchers and experienced teachers in the field of semiconductor nanostructures and photovoltaics.

  • ISBN: 9789814463638
  • Editorial: PAN STANFORD PUBLISHING
  • Encuadernacion: Tela
  • Páginas: 446
  • Fecha Publicación: 01/06/2015
  • Nº Volúmenes: 1
  • Idioma: