A dynamic picture of energy conversion in photovoltaic devices

Robert Alicki; David Gelbwaser-Klimovsky; Alejandro Jenkins; Elizabeth von Hauff

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arXiv · 1901.10873

A dynamic picture of energy conversion in photovoltaic devices

Robert Alicki·David Gelbwaser-Klimovsky·Alejandro Jenkins·Elizabeth von Hauff

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Abstract

Studies of emerging photovoltaics, such as organic and perovskite solar cells, have recently shown that the separation of photo-generated charge carriers is correlated with non-thermal, coherent oscillations within the illuminated device. We consider this experimental evidence in light of results from the theory of open quantum systems that point to the need for a self-oscillating internal capacitor, acting as a microscopic piston, to explain how an illuminated solar cell operates as an autonomous heat engine. We propose a picture of work extraction by photovoltaic devices that supersedes the quasi-static descriptions prevalent in the literature. Finally, we argue that such a dialogue between condensed matter physics and quantum thermodynamics may offer a guide for the design of new energy transducers.

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Robert Alicki, David Gelbwaser-Klimovsky, Alejandro Jenkins, Elizabeth von Hauff. 2019-01-30. A dynamic picture of energy conversion in photovoltaic devices. https://arxiv.org/abs/1901.10873

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