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WFU Physics Colloquium

TITLE: Nano-Structured Silicon Thin Films for Photovoltaic Applications

SPEAKER: Professor P. Craig Taylor ,

Professor of Physics, Colorado School of Mines,
Co-Director of the Center for Revolutionary Solar Photoconversion, and Associate Director of the Colorado Energy Research Institute

TIME: Thursday Jan. 22, 2009 at 4:00 PM

PLACE: Room 101 in Olin Physical Laboratory

Refreshments will be served at 3:30 PM in the Olin Lounge. All interested persons are cordially invited to attend.

ABSTRACT

The current technology for thin-film silicon photovoltaic panels is based on hydrogenated amorphous silicon and related alloys, such as silicon-germanium and silicon-carbon. Currently there is great interest in using some form of thin-film silicon that includes nano-structured components. This interest is driven in part by the potential for decreased cost, increased efficiency, and increased stability. Also driving this interest is the abundance of silicon as an element and its lack of toxicity. I will review various device structures that have been suggested, and discuss recent results on inhomogeneous films of hydrogenated amorphous silicon that contain nanocrystalline inclusions (nano-dots or nano-wires). In particular, I will describe the mechanisms for optical absorption and carrier transport and the role of defects.

WFU Physics Colloquium

ABSTRACT

Sponsored by planning grant for a WFU Center for Energy and Sustainable Environment.