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Thermodynamic efficiency of nanoscale photovoltaics

  • A. Niv
  • , M. Gharghi
  • , X. Zhang

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

Abstract

Current views of photovoltaic efficiency adopt a ray perspective of light and therefore cannot be applied to devices with sophisticated light coupling mechanisms, where phenomena from the realm of near field optics prevail. We use the fluctuation dissipation theorem to derive a thermodynamic estimation of the electromagnetic source strength within a semiconductor. This allows for a photovoltaic efficiency calculation that considers the full vectorial wave nature of light. The approach is demonstrated by analyzing the performance of a model solar cell down to thicknesses of few nanometers. The effect of near field optics on the performance of the device is highlighted.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationOptics for Solar Energy, OSE 2012
StatePublished - 1 Dec 2012
Externally publishedYes
EventOptics for Solar Energy, OSE 2012 - Eindhoven, Netherlands
Duration: 11 Nov 201214 Nov 2012

Publication series

NameOptics InfoBase Conference Papers
ISSN (Electronic)2162-2701

Conference

ConferenceOptics for Solar Energy, OSE 2012
Country/TerritoryNetherlands
CityEindhoven
Period11/11/1214/11/12

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Instrumentation
  • Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics

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