Abstract

The intermediate band (IB) solar cell is meant to convert sub-bandgap photons into current. For it a permitted energy band for electrons is formed within the forbidden bandgap; in this way two sub-bandgap photons can pump one electron form the valence band (VB) to the conduction band (CB) using the IB as stepping stone. Quantum dot (QD) confined states can provide the IB energy levels. Thanks to the separation of the Fermi level into three quasi Fermi levels (QFLs) it can do so at a voltage limited by the bandgap. The IB-CB QFL splitting is only produced in present solar cells at low temperatures. This topic will not be discussed in this lecture.

© 2011 Optical Society of America

InAs/GaAs Quantum-Dot Intermediate-Band Solar Cells

A. J. Grenko, I. Kimukin, J. Walker, and E. Towe
SWA4 Solar Energy: New Materials and Nanostructured Devices for High Efficiency (Solar) 2008

Quantum Dot Superlattice For High-Efficiency Intermediate Band Solar Cells

Yoshitaka Okada
PTu4B.2 Optical Nanostructures and Advanced Materials for Photovoltaics (PV) 2014

High Energy Conversion Efficiency in Quantum Dot Intermediate Band Solar Cells: Reality or Fantasy?

Mario Dagenais
PM2A.2 Optical Nanostructures and Advanced Materials for Photovoltaics (PV) 2017

Guided-Mode Resonance Gratings for Intermediate Band Quantum Dot Solar Cells

Farid Elsehrawy, Tapio Niemi, and Federica Cappelluti
PM3A.4 Optical Nanostructures and Advanced Materials for Photovoltaics (PV) 2017

Intermediate Band Solar Cells: Promises and Reality

M. Dagenais, Tian Li, Yang Zhang, and Robert Bartolo
ASa2A.1 Advanced Optoelectronics for Energy and Environment (AOEE) 2013