Stephen J. Fonash – författare

There has been an enormous infusion of new ideas in the field of solar cells over the last 15 years; discourse on energy transfer has gotten much richer, and nanostructures and nanomaterials have revolutionized the possibilities for new technological developments. However, solar energy cannot become ubiquitous in the world''s power markets unless it can become economically competitive with legacy generation methods such as fossil fuels.The new edition of Dr. Stephen Fonash''s definitive text points the way toward greater efficiency and cheaper production by adding coverage of cutting-edge topics in plasmonics, multi-exiton generation processes, nanostructures and nanomaterials such as quantum dots. The book''s new structure improves readability by shifting many detailed equations to appendices, and balances the first edition''s semiconductor coverage with an emphasis on thin-films. Further, it now demonstrates physical principles with simulations in the well-known AMPS computer code developed by the author.- Classic text now updated with new advances in nanomaterials and thin films that point the way to cheaper, more efficient solar energy production- Many of the detailed equations from the first edition have been shifted to appendices in order to improve readability- Important theoretical points are now accompanied by concrete demonstrations via included simulations created with the well-known AMPS computer code

New Approaches to Light Trapping in Solar Cell Devices discusses in detail the use of photonic and plasmonic effects for light trapping in solar cells. It compares and contrasts texturing, the current method of light-trapping design in solar cells, with emerging approaches employing photonic and plasmonic phenomena. These new light trapping methods reduce the amount of absorber required in a solar cell, promising significant cost reduction and efficiency.This book highlights potential advantages of photonics and plasmonics and describes design optimization using computer modeling of these approaches. Its discussion of ultimate efficiency possibilities in solar cells is grounded in a review of the Shockley-Queisser analysis; this includes an in-depth examination of recent analyses building on that seminal work.

New Approaches to Light Trapping in Solar Cell Devices discusses in detail the use of photonic and plasmonic effects for light trapping in solar cells. It compares and contrasts texturing, the current method of light-trapping design in solar cells, with emerging approaches employing photonic and plasmonic phenomena. These new light trapping methods reduce the amount of absorber required in a solar cell, promising significant cost reduction and efficiency.

This book highlights potential advantages of photonics and plasmonics and describes design optimization using computer modeling of these approaches. Its discussion of ultimate efficiency possibilities in solar cells is grounded in a review of the Shockley-Queisser analysis; this includes an in-depth examination of recent analyses building on that seminal work.

Solar Cell Device Physics offers a balanced, in-depth qualitative and quantitative treatment of the physical principles and operating characteristics of solar cell devices. Topics covered include photovoltaic energy conversion and solar cell materials and structures, along with homojunction solar cells. Semiconductor-semiconductor heterojunction cells and surface-barrier solar cells are also discussed. This book consists of six chapters and begins by introducing the reader to the basic physical principles and materials properties that are the foundations of photovoltaic energy conversion, with emphasis on various photovoltaic devices capable of efficiently converting solar energy into usable electrical energy. The electronic and optical properties of crystalline, polycrystalline, and amorphous materials with both organic and inorganic materials are considered, together with the manner in which these properties change from one material class to another and the implications of such changes for photovoltaics. Generation, recombination, and bulk transport are also discussed. The two mechanisms of photocarrier collection in solar cells, drift and diffusion, are then compared. The remaining chapters focus on specific solar cell device classes defined in terms of the interface structure employed: homojunctions, semiconductor-semiconductor heterojunctions, and surface-barrier devices. This monograph is appropriate for use as a textbook for graduate students in engineering and the sciences and for seniors in electrical engineering and applied physics, as well as a reference book for those actively involved in solar cell research and development.

Photovoltaic Device Physics and Materials: Solar Cell, Energy Management, and Retinomorphic Structures, Third Edition reflects that the physics behind these three important photovoltaics applications is the same while the device structure, designs, and materials used to optimally implement this physics varies. These variations come from differences in the incoming spectra, the materials utilized, and differences in the concomitant light trapping required. The importance of the materials utilized requires extensive examination and exploration of emerging inorganics, including perovskites, organics, and 2-D materials.An additional consideration that is addressed is device planar extent, which varies with device application. This thoroughly revised and expanded text is a valuable resource for students and researchers looking to learn about photovoltaic or solar cell devices, as well as faculty, engineers, R&D, government and industry labs, and medical facilities.

Provides a classic text (previously ‘Solar Cell Physics’) that has been updated with new advances in devices and materials, including 2-D nanofilms, semiconductor nanowires, and thin film organics and perovskitesUnderscores the concept that photovoltaic device physics and materials advances are applicable to several fields from engineering to medicineCovers important theoretical points accompanied by concrete demonstrations using simulations created with the author’s well-known AMPS computer code

Photovoltaic Device Physics and Materials: Solar Cell, Energy Management, and Retinomorphic Structures, Third Edition reflects that the physics behind these three important photovoltaics applications is the same while the device structure, designs, and materials used to optimally implement this physics varies. These variations come from differences in the incoming spectra, the materials utilized, and differences in the concomitant light trapping required. The importance of the materials utilized requires extensive examination and exploration of emerging inorganics, including perovskites, organics, and 2-D materials.An additional consideration that is addressed is device planar extent, which varies with device application. This thoroughly revised and expanded text is a valuable resource for students and researchers looking to learn about photovoltaic or solar cell devices, as well as faculty, engineers, R&D, government and industry labs, and medical facilities. - Provides a classic text (previously 'Solar Cell Physics') that has been updated with new advances in devices and materials, including 2-D nanofilms, semiconductor nanowires, and thin film organics and perovskites- Underscores the concept that photovoltaic device physics and materials advances are applicable to several fields from engineering to medicine- Covers important theoretical points accompanied by concrete demonstrations using simulations created with the author's well-known AMPS computer code

Students at universities the world over will benefit from the authors'' concise treatment, arising out of lectures given for a graduate and advanced undergraduate course at Penn State University (USA) and University of Technology Delft (NL). The textbook begins by addressing, in general terms, the phenomena and peculiarities that occur at the nanoscale. In the following five chapters, readers are introduced in detail to nanoscale physics, chemistry, materials science, and biology, followed by chapters on synthesis and fabrication as well as characterization at the nanoscale. In the next four chapters a variety of exemplary applications taken from a wide range of sectors are also presented and discussed. Concerns for safety, environmental impact, workforce development, economic wellbeing, and societal change issues arising from nanotechnology are woven throughout the book and additionally form the focus of the last two chapters.

Students at universities the world over will benefit from the authors'' concise treatment, arising out of lectures given for a graduate and advanced undergraduate course at Penn State University (USA) and University of Technology Delft (NL). The textbook begins by addressing, in general terms, the phenomena and peculiarities that occur at the nanoscale. In the following five chapters, readers are introduced in detail to nanoscale physics, chemistry, materials science, and biology, followed by chapters on synthesis and fabrication as well as characterization at the nanoscale. In the next four chapters a variety of exemplary applications taken from a wide range of sectors are also presented and discussed. Concerns for safety, environmental impact, workforce development, economic wellbeing, and societal change issues arising from nanotechnology are woven throughout the book and additionally form the focus of the last two chapters.