Principles of Solar Cells, LEDs and Related Devices

The Role of the PN Junction

Adrian Kitai

• Publisher: Wiley
• Year: 2018
• Print ISBN: 9781119451020
• eBook ISBN: 9781119451006
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Materials Science
• Index: Technology & Engineering

The second edition of the text that offers an introduction to the principles of solar cells and LEDs, revised and updated

The revised and updated second edition of Principles of Solar Cells, LEDs and Related Devices offers an introduction to the physical concepts required for a comprehensive understanding of p-n junction devices, light emitting diodes and solar cells. The author – a noted expert in the field – presents information on the semiconductor and junction device fundamentals and extends it to the practical implementation of semiconductors in both photovoltaic and LED devices. In addition, the text offers information on the treatment of a range of important semiconductor materials and device structures including OLED devices and organic solar cells.

This second edition contains a new chapter on the quantum mechanical description of the electron that will make the book accessible to students in any engineering discipline. The text also includes a new chapter on bipolar junction and junction field effect transistors as well as expanded chapters on solar cells and LEDs that include more detailed information on high efficiency devices. This important text:

• Offers an introduction to solar cells and LEDs, the two most important applications of semiconductor diodes
• Provides a solid theoretical basis for p-n junction devices
• Contains updated information and new chapters including better coverage of LED out-coupling design and performance and improvements in OLED efficiency
• Presents student problems at the end of each chapter and worked example problems throughout the text

Written for students in electrical engineering, physics and materials science and researchers in the electronics industry, Principles of Solar Cells, LEDs and Related Devices is the updated second edition that offers a guide to the physical concepts of p-n junction devices, light emitting diodes and solar cells.

1
Introduction to Quantum Mechanics

1. 1.1 Introduction
2. 1.2 The Classical Electron
3. 1.3 Two Slit Electron Experiment
4. 1.4 The Photoelectric Effect
5. 1.5 Wave Packets and Uncertainty
6. 1.6 The Wavefunction
7. 1.7 The Schrödinger Equation
8. 1.8 The Electron in a One‐Dimensional Well
9. 1.9 Electron Transmission and Reflection at Potential Energy Step
10. 1.10 Expectation Values
11. 1.11 Spin
12. 1.12 The Pauli Exclusion Principle
13. 1.13 Summary
14. Further Reading
15. Problems

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Objectives

1. Review the classical electron and motivate the need for a quantum mechanical model.
2. Present experimental evidence for the photon as a fundamental constituent of electromagnetic radiation.
3. Introduce quantum mechanical relationships based on experimental results and illustrate these using examples.
4. Introduce expectation values for important measurable quantities based on the uncertainty principle.
5. Motivate and define the wavefunction as a means of describing particles.
6. Present Schrödinger's equation and its solutions for practical problems relevant to semiconductor materials and devices.
7. Introduce spin and the associated magnetic properties of electrons.
8. Introduce the Pauli exclusion principle and give an example of its application.

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1.1 Introduction

The study of semiconductor devices relies on the electronic properties of solid‐state materials and hence a fundamental understanding of the behaviour of electrons in solids.

Electrons are responsible for electrical properties and optical properties in metals, insulators, inorganic semiconductors, and organic semiconductors. These materials form the basis of an astonishing variety of electronic components and devices. Among these, devices based on the p–n junction are of key significance and they include solar cells and light‐emitting diodes (LEDs) as well as other diode devices and transistors.

The electronics age in which we are immersed would not be possible without the ability to grow these materials, control their electronic properties, and finally fabricate structured devices using them, which yield specific electronic and optical functionality.

Electron behaviour in solids requires an understanding of the electron that includes the quantum mechanic...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Table of Contents
• Dedication
• Introduction
• Acknowledgements
• Chapter 1: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics
• Chapter 2: Semiconductor Physics
• Chapter 3: The p–n Junction Diode
• Chapter 4: Photon Emission and Absorption
• Chapter 5: p–n Junction Solar Cells
• Chapter 6: Light‐Emitting Diodes
• Chapter 7: Organic Semiconductors, OLEDs, and Solar Cells
• Chapter 8: Junction Transistors
• Appendix 1: Physical Constants
• Appendix 2: Derivation of the Uncertainty Principle
• Appendix 3: Derivation of Group Velocity
• Appendix 4: The Boltzmann Distribution Function
• Appendix 5: Properties of Semiconductor Materials
• Index
• End User License Agreement