u of ottawa Sunlab http://sunlab.eecs.uottawa.ca/a
Post# of 22454
QDSC listed under the Photovoltaic Devices tab -
http://sunlab.eecs.uottawa.ca/research/photovoltaic-devices/
Quantum Dot Solar Cells:
A novel method for increasing the efficiency of multi-junction solar cells is by controlling the absorption properties of one or more sub-cells through the addition of quantum dots, as in the highly efficient solar cells of our industrial collaborators, Cyrium Technologies Inc. Such quantum dots have discrete absorption properties, dependent on their size. By carefully choosing the growth properties of the quantum dots, the quantum-dot-enhanced sub-cell can absorb wavelengths of light that would otherwise be absorbed elsewhere in a less efficient way, helping to balance the current from each sub-cell. This research project concentrates on the complete characterization of the effects of quantum dots inside a solar cell. Various techniques, such as intensity-dependent photoluminescence of the quantum dots, temperature-dependent electrical measurements, and quantum efficiency probing will be used to fully understand the effects of these quantum confinement structures. Furthermore, probing the spectral response of a solar cell is a powerful technique allowing an insight in the physical mechanisms inside the material. Improvements in the generation of current, and hence device efficiency, are possible by the optimization of the quantum dots structure and the engineering of the energy levels in the multi-junction solar cell.