Photovoltaics in Nanoscale Ferroelectric Films

纳米铁电薄膜中的光电技术，提案号：ECCS 0943711。本奖项由2009年美国复苏与再投资法案（公法111-5）资助。这项探索性工作的目的是研究纳米级铁电薄膜中的光伏效应。该方法是为了证明由纳米级铁电薄膜制成的太阳能电池具有更高的光电转换效率。与传统的硅太阳能电池相比，在结处有限的电荷传输限制了电池的PV转换效率；这种效应本质上是铁电体中的体积效应。这种特性使得纳米级铁电薄膜成为迄今为止尚未开发的应用的绝佳选择。在纳米级铁电薄膜中增强的光伏效应将被证明，在由这些材料制成的太阳能电池中具有更高的光伏转换效率的潜力。这项工作可以为未来基于纳米铁电体的光伏研究方向铺平道路。这项活动将导致纳米铁电薄膜在光电和其他光学应用方面的研究数据，这些纳米铁电薄膜可以用于未来的设备，结合这些材料的铁电、电子和光学功能。更广泛的影响这一努力将有助于在纳米级铁电薄膜中产生光伏效应的输运性质的加工、表征和理解方面获得新的知识。所获得的知识将有更广泛的应用于研究界的过程应用到类似的铁电系统。教育计划是将所建议的研究成果纳入研究生/本科生的铁电学课程。该项目将影响学生，使他们为劳动力做好准备，并为研究生学习/基于纳米电的光伏技术的高级研究做好准备。结果将通过会议和期刊论文传播给研究界。将开展一项强有力的外联活动，涉及学生，包括少数民族学生，从小学到研究生阶段。

Photovoltaics in Nanoscale Ferroelectric FilmsProposal no: ECCS 0943711.Abstract This award is funded under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-5). The objective of this exploratory effort is to investigate photovoltaic effects in nanoscale ferroelectric films. The approach is to demonstrate higher photovoltaic conversion efficiency in solar cells made from nanoscale ferroelectric films. Compared to the conventional Si solar cells where the limited charge transport at the junction constrains the PV conversion efficiency of the cell; the effect is essentially a bulk-effect in ferroelectrics. This property makes nanoscale ferroelectric films an excellent choice for such applications which remain unexploited to date.Intellectual MeritEnhanced photovoltaic effects in nanoscale ferroelectric films will be demonstrated with the potential for higher photovoltaic conversion efficiencies in solar cells made from these materials. This work could pave the way for future research directions in photovoltaics based on nanoscale ferroelectrics. This activity will lead to research data in photovoltaics and other optical applications for nanoferroelectric films that can be used in future devices, combining the ferroelectric, electronic and optical functionalities of such materials.Broader ImpactThis effort will contribute to new knowledge in processing, characterization and understanding of the transport properties responsible for photovoltaic effects in nanoscale ferroelectric films. The knowledge gained will have broader applications for the research community in applying processes to similar ferroelectric systems. The education plan is to incorporate results from the proposed research in a graduate/undergraduate level course on ferroelectrics. The project will impact students by preparing them for the workforce as well as for graduate study/advanced research on nanoferroelectric based photovoltaics. Results will be disseminated to the research community through conferences and journal papers. A strong outreach activity involving students, including minority student, from elementary age to graduate level will be conducted.