To impart knowledge on the underpinning theory of electronic structure of solids relevant to solar energy conversion and to demonstrate the application of these fundamental concepts in applied solar energy conversion technologies

(LO1) Show an ability to describe - and provide evidence for understanding of - the electronic structure of solids in terms of bands.

(LO2) Show understanding of electronic structure as a function of reciprocal space (bands) and energy (density of states).

(LO3) Show ability to describe the electronic structure of semiconductors and demonstrate how that relates to applications in solar energy conversion

(LO4) Show understanding of transport in semiconductors in terms of electrons and holes, and how they are created and destroyed in the process of photoexcitation

(LO5) Show ability to describe minimum device requirements for solar photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical devices and to reproduce the structure and relevant energy diagrams for p-n Si devices and photoanodes and photocathodes.

(LO6) Show an ability to discuss the principles and limitations of selected 2nd, 3rd generation PV technologies

(LO7) Show an ability to apply equations to calculate carrier properties, cell efficiencies and optical properties.

Delivery method: 16 Lectures, 2 workshops.

The course uses an outcome-based teaching and learning approach (see module learning outcomes). Lectures are the primary information delivery method and these will also contain active learning components in the form of think/share/pair exercises.
Workshops will provide students with a chance for small group working on a series of problems that are presented to them on the day with the support of the module teaching staff. Workshops are not assessed but are followed up with a short set of assessed assignments.

The module consists of 16 lectures and 2 workshops. It will cover the following topics:
1. Introduction to periodic boundary conditions, plane waves and Bloch theory
2. Band theory. Free electrons. Model periodic potentials. Transport (effective mass).
3. The band structure of simple semiconductors (e.g. Si, GaAs). The concepts of (photo)electrons and holes.
4. Semiconductor doping. Extrinsic versus intrinsic semiconductors. Dopant states (acceptor/donor). Balance of carrier concentration versus dopant scattering.
5. Optical properties of materials - what determines the strength and frequency of optical absorption?
6. Introduction to transparent conducting layers (ITO, Ag, correlated metals e.g. SrNbO3)
7. The principles of photovoltaic energy conversion (minimum device requirements), p-n Si, Solar cell performance characteristics
8. PV device equations (Si) – carrier density, photogeneration, recombination, transpor t, calculating for simplified p-n junction, dark currents and factors limiting performance
9. 2nd generation PV materials e.g. a-Si, CdTe,
10. 3rd generation PV e.g. Perovskite/DSSC, QD-PV
11. Principles of solar chemical conversion including the minimum device requirements and concept of photoelectrochemistry