Citation
Luque López, Antonio and Martí Vega, Antonio and Stanley, Colin
(2012).
Understanding intermediate-band solar cells.
"Nature Photonics", v. 6
(n. 3);
pp. 146-152.
ISSN 1749-4885.
https://doi.org/10.1038/nphoton.2012.1.
Abstract
The intermediate-band solar cell is designed to provide a large photogenerated current while maintaining a high output voltage. To make this possible, these cells incorporate an energy band that is partially filled with electrons within the forbidden bandgap of a semiconductor. Photons with insufficient energy to pump electrons from the valence band to the conduction band can use this intermediate band as a stepping stone to generate an electron-hole pair. Nanostructured materials and certain alloys have been employed in the practical implementation of intermediate-band solar cells, although challenges still remain for realizing practical devices. Here we offer our present understanding of intermediate-band solar cells, as well as a review of the different approaches pursed for their practical implementation. We also discuss how best to resolve the remaining technical issues.