Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Photoelectric Effect

Photoelectric Effect

When light of a particular wavelength strikes a metal surface, electrons are emitted. This is called the photoelectric effect. The minimum frequency of light that can cause such emission of electrons is called the threshold frequency, which is specific to the metal. Light with a frequency lower than the threshold frequency, even if it is of high intensity, cannot initiate the emission of electrons. However, when the frequency is higher than the threshold value, the number of electrons ejected...

Voltaic/Galvanic Cells

Voltaic/Galvanic Cells

Spontaneous Chemical Reactions
Spontaneous redox reactions occur abundantly in nature. The chemical reaction occurring in a disposable AA battery powering our remote controls is one such example of a spontaneous redox reaction. Another example is the immersion of coiled copper wire into an aqueous silver nitrate solution. The reaction shows a gradual, visually impressive color change from colorless to bright blue and the formation of a grey precipitate on the copper wire. In this experiment,...

Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview

Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview

Electrocyclic reactions are reversible reactions. They involve an intramolecular cyclization or ring-opening of a conjugated polyene. Shown below are two examples of electrocyclic reactions. In the first reaction, the formation of the cyclic product is favored. In contrast, in the second reaction, ring-opening is favored due to the high ring strain associated with cyclobutene formation.

Photoluminescence: Applications

Photoluminescence: Applications

Photoluminescence offers a wide range of applications due to its inherent sensitivity and selectivity. This technique allows for both direct and indirect analyses of the analyte. Direct quantitative analysis is possible when the analyte exhibits a favorable quantum yield for fluorescence or phosphorescence. However, an indirect analysis may be feasible if the analyte is not fluorescent or phosphorescent, or if the quantum yield is unfavorable. Indirect methods include reacting the analyte with...

P-N junction

P-N junction

A p-n junction is formed when p-type and n-type semiconductor materials are joined together. At the interface of the p-n junction, holes from the p-side and electrons from the n-side begin to diffuse into the opposite sides due to the concentration gradient. This diffusion of carriers leads to a region around the junction where there are no free charge carriers, known as the depletion region. The charge density within the depletion region for the n-side and p-side can be described by the...

Schottky Barrier Diode

Schottky Barrier Diode

Schottky barrier diodes are specialized semiconductor devices characterized by their unique construction. This construction involves combining a metal layer with a moderately doped n-type semiconductor material. This combination leads to the formation of a Schottky barrier, a pivotal element that defines the diode's operational characteristics. The core functionality of Schottky barrier diodes is their capacity to allow current to flow in only one direction due to their distinctive...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Preparation of 3D open ordered mesoporous carbon single-crystals and their structural evolution during ammonia activation.

Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)·2018

Same author

Ultrahigh performance supercapacitors utilizing core-shell nanoarchitectures from a metal-organic framework-derived nanoporous carbon and a conducting polymer.

Chemical science·2018

Same author

6-Arylthio-3-hydroxypyrimidine-2,4-diones potently inhibited HIV reverse transcriptase-associated RNase H with antiviral activity.

European journal of medicinal chemistry·2018

Same author

6-Biphenylmethyl-3-hydroxypyrimidine-2,4-diones potently and selectively inhibited HIV reverse transcriptase-associated RNase H.

European journal of medicinal chemistry·2018

Same author

Sub-50 nm Iron-Nitrogen-Doped Hollow Carbon Sphere-Encapsulated Iron Carbide Nanoparticles as Efficient Oxygen Reduction Catalysts.

Advanced science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)·2018

Same author

Comparison of field-of-view optimized and constrained undistorted single-shot diffusion-weighted imaging and conventional diffusion-weighted imaging of optic nerve and chiasma at 3T.

Neuroradiology·2018

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Fabrication of Fully Solution Processed Inorganic Nanocrystal Photovoltaic Devices

Fabrication of Fully Solution Processed Inorganic Nanocrystal Photovoltaic Devices

Published on: July 8, 2016

A photovoltaic device structure based on internal electron emission.

Eric W McFarland¹, Jing Tang

¹Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106-5080, USA. mcfar@engineering.ucsb.edu

|February 7, 2003

Summary

Researchers developed a novel multilayer photovoltaic device where light absorption occurs on photoreceptors, enabling efficient electron transfer for solar energy conversion. This approach offers a promising path toward durable, low-cost solar cells.

More Related Videos

In situ Grazing Incidence Small Angle X-ray Scattering on Roll-To-Roll Coating of Organic Solar Cells with Laboratory X-ray Instrumentation

In situ Grazing Incidence Small Angle X-ray Scattering on Roll-To-Roll Coating of Organic Solar Cells with Laboratory X-ray Instrumentation

Published on: March 2, 2021

Step-by-Step Guide for Harnessing Organic Light Emitting Diodes by Solution Processed Device Fabrication of a TADF Emitter

Step-by-Step Guide for Harnessing Organic Light Emitting Diodes by Solution Processed Device Fabrication of a TADF Emitter

Published on: November 7, 2025

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 23, 2026

Fabrication of Fully Solution Processed Inorganic Nanocrystal Photovoltaic Devices

Fabrication of Fully Solution Processed Inorganic Nanocrystal Photovoltaic Devices

Published on: July 8, 2016

In situ Grazing Incidence Small Angle X-ray Scattering on Roll-To-Roll Coating of Organic Solar Cells with Laboratory X-ray Instrumentation

In situ Grazing Incidence Small Angle X-ray Scattering on Roll-To-Roll Coating of Organic Solar Cells with Laboratory X-ray Instrumentation

Published on: March 2, 2021

Step-by-Step Guide for Harnessing Organic Light Emitting Diodes by Solution Processed Device Fabrication of a TADF Emitter

Step-by-Step Guide for Harnessing Organic Light Emitting Diodes by Solution Processed Device Fabrication of a TADF Emitter

Published on: November 7, 2025

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Solid-State Physics
Renewable Energy

Background:

Conventional solar cells rely on bulk semiconductor absorption and electric fields for charge separation.
The search for cost-effective and efficient photovoltaic devices has been ongoing since the 1950s.
Existing technologies face challenges in cost, durability, and efficiency.

Purpose of the Study:

To introduce a novel multilayer photovoltaic device structure.
To explore an alternative mechanism for photovoltaic energy conversion.
To demonstrate the potential for low-cost, durable solar cells.

Main Methods:

Fabrication of a multilayer device with photoreceptors on an ultrathin metal-semiconductor junction Schottky diode.
Utilizing ballistic electron transport over a Schottky barrier for photocurrent generation.
Characterization of device performance under visible light illumination.

Main Results:

Photon absorption occurs in surface photoreceptors, not the semiconductor.
Photoexcited electrons travel ballistically through noble metals to the Schottky barrier.
Devices achieved open-circuit photovoltages of 600-800 mV and photocurrents of 10-18 micro A cm(-2).
Internal quantum efficiency reached 10%.

Conclusions:

This alternative photovoltaic approach utilizes surface absorption and ballistic electron transport.
The semiconductor's role is limited to majority charge transport and separation.
The proposed structure offers potential for developing durable, low-cost solar cells from diverse materials.