Principles of solar cells, LEDs, and diodes : the role of the PN junction

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Title:

Personal Author:

Kitai, Adrian, 1957-

Publication Information:

Chichester, West Sussex, U.K. : Wiley, 2011

Physical Description:

xiii, 318 p. : ill. ; 24 cm.

ISBN:

9781444318333

Abstract:

"The book will cover the two most important applications of semiconductor diodes - solar cells and LEDs - together with quantitative coverage of the physics of the PN junction at the senior undergraduate level. It will include: Review of semiconductor physics Introduction to PN diodesThe solar cell Physics of efficient conversion of sunlight into electrical energy Semiconductor solar cell materials and device physics Advanced solar cell materials and devices The light emitting diode Physics of efficient conversion of electrical energy into light Semiconductor light emitting diode materials and device physics Advanced light emitting diode materials and devices"-- Provided by publisher.

Subject Term:

Diodes, Semiconductor

Light emitting diodes

Semiconductors -- Junctions

Solar cells

Available:*

Library	Item Barcode	Call Number	Material Type	Item Category 1	Status
Searching... PSZ JB	30000010280709	TK7871.86 K58 2011	Open Access Book	Book	Searching... Unknown

On Order

Summary

This textbook introduces the physical concepts required for a comprehensive understanding of p-n junction devices, light emitting diodes and solar cells.

Semiconductor devices have made a major impact on the way we work and live. Today semiconductor
p-n junction diode devices are experiencing substantial growth: solar cells are used on an unprecedented scale in the renewable energy industry; and light emitting diodes (LEDs) are revolutionizing energy efficient lighting. These two emerging industries based on p-n junctions make a significant contribution to the reduction in fossil fuel consumption.

This book covers the two most important applications of semiconductor diodes - solar cells and LEDs - together with quantitative coverage of the physics of the p-n junction. The reader will gain a thorough understanding of p-n junctions as the text begins with semiconductor and junction device fundamentals and extends to the practical implementation of semiconductors in both photovoltaic and LED devices. Treatment of a range of important semiconductor materials and device structures is also presented in a readable manner.

Topics are divided into the following six chapters:

* Semiconductor Physics
* The PN Junction Diode
* Photon Emission and Absorption
* The Solar Cell
* Light Emitting Diodes
* Organic Semiconductors, OLEDs and Solar Cells

Containing student problems at the end of each chapter and worked example problems throughout, this textbook is intended for senior level undergraduate students doing courses in electrical engineering, physics and materials science. Researchers working on solar cells and LED devices, and those in the electronics industry would also benefit from the background information the book provides.

Author Notes

ADRIAN KITAI , Departments of Engineering Physics and Materials Science and Engineering, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

Introduction	p. xi
Acknowledgements	p. xv
1 Semiconductor Physics	p. 1
1.1 Introduction	p. 2
1.2 The Band Theory of Solids	p. 2
1.3 The Kronig-Penney Model	p. 3
1.4 The Bragg Model	p. 8
1.5 Effective Mass	p. 8
1.6 Number of States in a Band	p. 10
1.7 Band Filling	p. 12
1.8 Fermi Energy and Holes	p. 14
1.9 Carrier Concentration	p. 15
1.10 Semiconductor Materials	p. 25
1.11 Semiconductor Band Diagrams	p. 26
1.12 Direct Gap and Indirect Gap Semiconductors	p. 29
1.13 Extrinsic Semiconductors	p. 35
1.14 Carrier Transport in Semiconductors	p. 40
1.15 Equilibrium and Non-Equilibrium Dynamics	p. 43
1.16 Carrier Diffusion and the Einstein Relation	p. 45
1.17 Quasi-Fermi Energies	p. 48
1.18 The Diffusion Equation	p. 50
1.19 Traps and Carrier Lifetimes	p. 53
1.20 Alloy Semiconductors	p. 56
1.21 Summary	p. 59
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 61
Problems	p. 63 61 Problems
2 The PN Junction Diode	p. 69
2.1 Introduction	p. 70
2.2 Diode Current	p. 72
2.3 Contact Potential	p. 75
2.4 The Depletion Approximation	p. 78
2.5 The Diode Equation	p. 85
2.6 Reverse Breakdown and the Zener Diode	p. 97
2.7 Tunnel Diodes	p. 100
2.8 Generation/Recombination Currents	p. 101
2.9 Ohmic Contacts, Schottky Barriers and Schottky Diodes	p. 104
2.10 Heterojunctions	p. 113
2.11 Alternating Current (AC) and Transient Behaviour	p. 115
2.12 Summary	p. 117
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 118
Problems	p. 119
3 Photon Emission and Absorption	p. 123
3.1 Introduction to Luminescence and Absorption	p. 124
3.2 Physics of Light Emission	p. 125
3.3 Simple Harmonic Radiator	p. 128
3.4 Quantum Description	p. 129
3.5 The Exciton	p. 132
3.6 Two-Electron Atoms	p. 135
3.7 Molecular Excitons	p. 141
3.8 Band-to-Band Transitions	p. 144
3.9 Photometric Units	p. 148
3.10 Summary	p. 152
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 153
Problems	p. 155
4 The Solar Cell	p. 159
4.1 Introduction	p. 160
4.2 Light Absorption	p. 162
4.3 Solar Radiation	p. 164
4.4 Solar Cell Design and Analysis	p. 164
4.5 Thin Solar Cells	p. 172
4.6 Solar Cell Generation as a Function of Depth	p. 176
4.7 Solar Cell Efficiency	p. 179
4.8 Silicon Solar Cell Technology: Wafer Preparation	p. 184
4.9 Silicon Solar Cell Technology: Solar Cell Finishing	p. 187
4.10 Silicon Solar Cell Technology: Advanced Production Methods	p. 191
4.11 Thin Film Solar Cells: Amorphous Silicon	p. 192
4.12 Telluride/Selenide/Sulphide Thin-Film Solar Cells	p. 199
4.13 High-Efficiency Multijunction Solar Cells	p. 200
4.14 Concentrating Solar Systems	p. 203
4.15 Summary	p. 204
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 205
Problems	p. 207
5 Light Emitting Diodes	p. 215
5.1 Introduction	p. 216
5.2 LED Operation and Device Structures	p. 217
5.3 Emission Spectrum	p. 220
5.4 Non-Radiative Recombination	p. 221
5.5 Optical Outcoupling	p. 223
5.6 GaAs LEDs	p. 225
5.7 GaAsi P LEDs	p. 226
5.8 Double Heterojunction AIxGa1-xAs LEDs	p. 228
5.9 AlGalnPLEDs	p. 234
5.10 Ga1-x InxTNLEDs	p. 236
5.11 LED Structures for Enhanced Outcoupling and Power Output	p. 244
5.12 Summary	p. 247
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 248
Problems	p. 249
6 Organic Semiconductors, OLEDs and Solar Cells	p. 253
6.1 Introduction to Organic Electronics	p. 254
6.2 Conjugated Systems	p. 255
6.3 Polymer OLEDs	p. 260
6.4 Small-Molecule OLEDs	p. 266
6.5 Anode Materials	p. 270
6.6 Cathode Materials	p. 270
6.7 Hole Injection Layer	p. 271
6.8 Electron Injection Layer	p. 272
6.9 Hole Transport Layer'	p. 272
6.10 Electron Transport Layer	p. 275
6.11 Light Emitting Material Processes	p. 276
6.12 Host Materials	p. 278
6.13 Fluorescent Dopants	p. 279
6.14 Phosphorescent Dopants	p. 283
6.15 Organic Solar Cells	p. 283
6.16 Organic Solar Cell Materials	p. 289
6.17 Summary	p. 292
Suggestions for Further Reading	p. 294
Problems	p. 296
Appendix 1 Physical Constants	p. 303
Appendix 2 Properties of Semiconductor Materials	p. 305
Appendix 3 The Boltzmann Distribution Function	p. 307
Index	p. 311

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Summary

Summary

Author Notes

Table of Contents