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Related Concept Videos

Photoelectric Effect02:26

Photoelectric Effect

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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...
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Spontaneous Chemical Reactions
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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.
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Photoluminescence is a process where a molecule absorbs light energy and re-emits it in the form of light. This phenomenon occurs when a substance absorbs photons, promoting its electrons to higher energy level excited states, followed by a relaxation process in which the electrons return to their original ground state energy levels and emit light. Photoluminescence is widely observed in various materials, including semiconductors, and organic and inorganic compounds.
A pair of electrons in a...
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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...
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P-N junction01:11

P-N junction

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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...
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Recombination Dynamics in Thin-film Photovoltaic Materials via Time-resolved Microwave Conductivity
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Flexo-photovoltaic effect.

Ming-Min Yang1, Dong Jik Kim1, Marin Alexe2

  • 1Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.

Science (New York, N.Y.)
|April 21, 2018
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Scientists discovered a new photovoltaic mechanism, the flexo-photovoltaic effect, that can boost solar cell efficiency in any semiconductor, including silicon, without needing a p-n junction.

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Area of Science:

  • Materials Science
  • Solid-State Physics
  • Renewable Energy

Background:

  • The bulk photovoltaic effect offers a route beyond the Shockley-Queisser limit for solar cells.
  • This effect typically requires noncentrosymmetric materials (e.g., piezoelectric, ferroelectric).
  • A method to achieve this effect in centrosymmetric semiconductors is needed.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To demonstrate a novel photovoltaic mechanism applicable to any semiconductor.
  • To explore the flexoelectric effect's role in mediating the bulk photovoltaic effect.
  • To enable solar energy conversion in established semiconductor materials like silicon.

Main Methods:

  • Inducing strain gradients in centrosymmetric single crystals using atomic force microscopy or indentation systems.
  • Investigating the flexoelectric effect's influence on photovoltaic properties.
  • Measuring photovoltaic currents generated in strontium titanate, titanium dioxide, and silicon.

Main Results:

  • Achieved significant photovoltaic currents in centrosymmetric materials via strain gradients.
  • Demonstrated the flexo-photovoltaic effect, a strain gradient-induced bulk photovoltaic effect.
  • Observed this effect functioning without the need for a p-n junction.

Conclusions:

  • The flexo-photovoltaic effect can be realized in any semiconductor by mediating the flexoelectric effect.
  • This discovery broadens the range of materials usable for high-efficiency solar cells.
  • Potential to enhance current solar cell technologies using established semiconductors.