Location
Physics : 401
Date & Time
September 16, 2015, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
Description
TITLE: Nanospectroscopy of materials for renewable energy
ABSTRACT: Our group at UMD utilizes light to probe and understand physical phenomena in materials for energy that take place at the nanoscale. In the first part of the talk, I will show how we image the functionality of photovoltaic devices using nanospectroscopy by scanning probe microscopy methods. We apply NSOM and illuminated Kelvin probe force microscopy to quantify and spatially resolve the quantum efficiency and open-circuit voltage of solar cells. These measurements reveal the carriers’ collection and recombination within inhomogeneous materials with nanoscale spatial resolution, not possible by macroscopic electrical measurements. In the second part of the talk, I will present a new platform for plasmonics materials, formed by metal alloys with on demand optical response that can potentially outperform pure metals in the light absorption enhancement of solar cells.
ABSTRACT: Our group at UMD utilizes light to probe and understand physical phenomena in materials for energy that take place at the nanoscale. In the first part of the talk, I will show how we image the functionality of photovoltaic devices using nanospectroscopy by scanning probe microscopy methods. We apply NSOM and illuminated Kelvin probe force microscopy to quantify and spatially resolve the quantum efficiency and open-circuit voltage of solar cells. These measurements reveal the carriers’ collection and recombination within inhomogeneous materials with nanoscale spatial resolution, not possible by macroscopic electrical measurements. In the second part of the talk, I will present a new platform for plasmonics materials, formed by metal alloys with on demand optical response that can potentially outperform pure metals in the light absorption enhancement of solar cells.