4. How organic photovoltaic cells work
Between the initial stage when light enters an organic photovoltaic converter and the final stage when electrons are collected on the electrodes, several physical processes act in succession that determine the efficiency of photoconversion. The description of these mechanisms explains why current yields are so low.
4.1 Photon absorption – Exciton creation
When photons are absorbed in a solid, energy is transferred to electrons in the HOMO level. The transition to the LUMO level leads to the appearance of a hole, which remains linked to the electron by mutual electrostatic interaction. The electron-hole pair, which is electrically neutral, is called an exciton. When both charges are located on the same molecule or monomeric unit, it's called a Frenkel exciton;...
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How organic photovoltaic cells work
Structure and technology of organic solar cells
References
- (1) - Potential for building integrated photovoltaics. - Figure 12, Report IEA – PVPS T7-4 (2001). http://www.oja-services.nl/iea-pvps/products/rep7 04.htm
- (2) - MARTIN-AMOUROUX...
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