Defect characterization in next generation perovskite-based solar cells
Genk | More than two weeks ago
Help us develop the photovoltaic technology of tomorrow!
Context
In the future, solar photovoltaic (PV) energy will play an increasingly important role in electricity production. This is thanks to many advantages such as low cost, versatility, low environmental footprint and others. Today, there is a lot of research going on, that focuses on novel PV technologies such as perovskite solar cells (efficient, semi-transparent solar cells) and perovskite-based tandem cells (with two light-absorbing layers and a very high efficiency). Because these solar cells are composed of so-called thin-film layers (a few dozens of nm thick), the interfaces between the materials are crucial and can cause efficiency loss and stability issues inside the solar cell. For this reason, material, defect and interface research are key in order to bring these new technologies to market.
What you will do
In this internship, your role will be to help improving perovskite and/or tandem cells by investigating the bulk of a particular layer and its interface to the next layer in the solar cell. In particular, you will use the very common metal-oxide-semiconductor (MOS) structure and characterization techniques such as capacitance-voltage (CV) measurements to investigate charge transport and defects in the layer and at its interfaces. Your goal is twofold:
- To extract meaningful figures of merit such as interface fixed oxide charges (Qf), interface trap density (Dit), ion activation energy (EA), defect densities (Nt), built-in voltage (Vbi).
- Trying to improve the material and its interfaces using different process conditions and/or application of passivation layers. These improvements will be monitored using the figures of merit.
The results will be used to boost the conversion efficiency of actual perovskite-based devices made in the lab while the benefits can in parallel also be quantified through device modelling.
Who you are
You are a master student in engineering technology or engineering science. You have background in electrical engineering and/or in physics. In particular, you are familiar with the concept of electrical charges transport and semiconductor physics. Having some background in material science and/or semiconductor processing is an advantage but is not mandatory. You have a great interest in R&D and sustainable energy production and want to have a real impact on the technology of tomorrow.
What you will learn
You will have the chance to work in an inspiring environment, surrounded by experts in the domain of photovoltaic technology and semiconductor device processing. You will have the chance to acquire experience in the following topics:
- Working in a controlled environment (laboratory and clean room) industrial-grade tools.
- Processing of semiconductor devices, and particularly perovskite-based devices.
- Characterization of semiconductor devices, using techniques such as IV, CV or photoluminescence.
- Modellization and comparison with experimental results.
- Interpretation of experimental data and presentation to a scientific audience.
Type of project: Internship, Thesis, Combination of internship and thesis
Duration: 6-9 months
Required degree: Master of Engineering Technology, Master of Engineering Science, Master of Science
Required background: Electrotechnics/Electrical Engineering, Physics, Nanoscience & Nanotechnology, Materials Engineering
Supervising scientist(s): For further information or for application, please contact: Jonathan Parion (Jonathan.Parion@imec.be) and Filip Duerinckx (Filip.Duerinckx@imec.be)
Imec allowance will be provided for students studying at a non-Belgian university.