Effects of longitudinal optical phonon lifetimes on hot-carrier solar cells: a theoretical study. (12th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tsai, Chin-Yi
• Is Part Of: Materials research express. Volume 5:Number 11(2018)
• Publication Date: 2018-09-12
• Subjects: solar cell -- photovoltaic -- hot carrier -- hot phonon -- carrier energy relaxation -- energy transfer; Materials science -- Research -- Periodicals; Materials science -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/aaddd2
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2053-1591

Abstract

Abstract: Theoretical models and explicit formulas with the decay processes of optical phonons are presented for calculating intraband carrier energy relaxation rates. They are incorporated into the Ross-Nozik model for hot-carrier solar cells. Effects of LO phonon lifetimes on hot-carrier solar cells are investigated. The results demonstrate the potential of phononic engineering for producing optical-absorber materials with prolonged LO phonon lifetimes and slowed intraband carrier energy relaxation. They also suggest that using such materials can potentially provide a direct method of realizing hot-carrier solar cells.