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PhD project: tandem solar cells combining nanowires with perovskites

Development of tandem solar cells by combining III-IV semiconductor nanowires with perovskites

 

Hybrid perovskite semiconductor nanowire
Different architectures integrating hybrid perovskite semiconductors with III-V nanowire based solar cell devices.

Different architectures integrating hybrid perovskite semiconductors with III-V nanowire based solar cell devices. Image by Eva Unger.

Introduction

The research at the division of Solid State Physics focuses around different aspects of semiconductor physics, ranging from materials science to quantum physics, to different applications. The division also leads NanoLund, the major interdisciplinary research environment within nanoscience and nanotechnology at Lund University. Lund Nano Lab is a central key facility for fabrication of material and devices on the nanoscale. The division is also heavily involved in the undergraduate education, especially within the “Engineering Nanoscience” program.

Since almost ten years, our research within the area of one-dimensional semiconductor structures, so called nanowires, has been at the international forefront. So far, our three main areas have been: epitaxial growth of nanowires, fundamental properties studied with transport physics and optical physics, and more applied nanoelectronics.

Lund Nano Lab is well equipped with several epitaxy machines and processing tools as well as characterization equipment, all in a clean room environment. In addition, we have access to advanced characterization equipment outside Lund Nano Lab, such as local access to electro-optical characterization, and measurements of internal and external quantum efficiency as well as low temperature photoluminescence characterization and electrical characterization, and more, to determine materials properties. The close collaboration within NanoLund provides access to transmission electron microscopy as well as MAXIV, which contributes to the advanced characterization of the material's crystal properties and deeper insights into parameters that affect them.

Lund NanoLab facilities

Project specification

Work duties

The project aims to develop tandem solar cells by combining III-IV semiconductor nanowires with perovskites. The goal is to increase the efficiency by better matching the solar spectrum and reduce thermal losses. The project aims to study this new type of integrated tandem solar cell with respect to material composition, heterostructural interface and electro-optical quality. Tandem solar cells that combine nanowire and perovskite solar cells will be manufactured, characterized and optimized.

The work is mainly experimental and the doctoral student will contribute to the development of nanowire / perovskite solar cells, particle deposition and preparation for synthesis as well as solar cell processing will be carried out in a clean room environment, where metal organic gas phase epitaxy will be used for synthesis, and clean room tools will be used for processing and characterization.

The PhD student is expected to work independently and in groups as well as in close collaboration with other research groups at the department and within NanoLund as well as in close collaboration with the group at Helmholz Zentrum Berlin where perovskites will be deposited.

The main duties of doctoral students are to devote themselves to their research studies which includes participating in research projects and third cycle courses. The work duties can also include teaching and other departmental duties (no more than 20%).

 

Desirable skills

We expect that your undergraduate studies include courses in solid state physics, materials science and chemistry. The research is to a large extent interdisciplinary, and a broad competence profile and experience from relevant areas of physics, chemistry and micro/nanoscience is of high value. The laboratory work skills are essential, specifically experience in clean-room work, semiconductor synthesis and characterisation. Important personal qualities are, beside creativity and a curious mind, the ability to work both independently and in a group and experience in the scientific interaction with researchers from other disciplines and in other countries.

Enrolment: Physics

Subject curriculum for physics at the Faculty of Engineering TEFAFF00 (pdf, 265kB, new window)

Supervisor

Magnus Borgström, Professor at Solid State Physics

Magnus Borgström's personal page including contact information

Division of Solid State Physics webpage

Positions in the 2nd call

The call was open from 25 June to 25 August 2020. Six PhD students were recruited, among them five are eligible for GenerationNano funding. Three of the GenerationNano students have recently started their employment and the two remaining will start soon.