Microscopic theory of intersubband thermophotovoltaic …：微观理论间热….pptVIP

Theory of Semiconductor Materials and Optics Materials and Engineering Research Institute Sheffield Hallam University S1 1WB Sheffield, United Kingdom Department of Physics Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia M.Pereira@shu.ac.uk Outline The Solar Paradox Challenges for next generation solar cells Nonequilibrium Greens Functions approach to absorption and gain ISB Thermophotovoltaics Summary Solar Potential Average power 100 W/m2 in populated areas The Solar Paradox Infinitely abundant energy Fusion reactor Solar constant: 1360 W/m2 (CN@6000K) Surface incidence: ~ 1000 times the need of primary energy Sub products at the origin of 90% of commercial energy A resource negligibly exploited for energy production Conventional PVs - Problems to be Solved Light with Energy below Eg will not be absorbed Excess photon energy above Eg is lost in form of heat Possible solutions : multi-junction Intermediate bands hot carrier solar cells TPVs Third Generation PV Challenges III-V Multi-Junction Solar Cell Challenges - Multi-juntcion and IB Further microscopic analysis is required with full quantum transport and optics - NGF method is ideal! Slide courtesy of S. Tomi? Challenges - Hot Carrier PVs Energy Loss Mechanisms Heat transfer to lattice (LO Phonon emission) Heat leakage to contacts as they are extracted from the absorber The NGF method used for complex QCL structures is ideal to address those difficulties Solutions sought Nanostructures to reduce cooling rate due to phonon emission Energy selective contacts allowing carrier transmission at a single energy level - however difficult to achieve good selectivity and high current densities Thermophotovoltaics Convert IR radiation (heat) into electricity technology very closely related to MJPV Many potential applications Portable, low emission generators for military and civilian use Generation from ‘waste’ industrial heat Domestic boilers Automotive industry Market size (2000 estimate) $85 – 265 million