Within the first year, the network aims to organise research topics and working groups to perform joint research activities to address how nanophotonic structures with their unique physical properties can enable efficient harvesting of light and light generation
Nanophotonics for Light harvesting
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Existing activities include:
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Nanophotonics for Light Generation
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Current activities include:
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§ Metamaterials for Solar Cells (ICFO, LETI, UPC, KTH) Plasmonic structures as well as dielectric photonic crystal (PC) structures can be used for their unique properties for photovoltaic applications. Specifically, plasmon effects, PCs for enhanced absorption and PCs as thermo-photovoltaic elements can be used to improve efficiency.
§ Nanowires/nanorods for photovoltaics (LETI, KTH, CSIC, TUD, UPC) The theme of this activity is on nanostructuring for enhanced absorption of light as required for solar cells. Nanorods/nanopillars of semiconductors such as Si, GaN, ZnO, InP are to be used for PV applications.
§ Hybrid solar cells to overcome the limitations of conventional technology (US, TUD, Bilkent, UPC) This activity addresses novel solar energy conversion hybrid devices using multi-exciton generation effects. Also, investigate nanocrystal-based aerogels (3D self-assembled networks) can combine the unique optical properties of size-confined nanomaterials with the charge and energy transport abilities of the designed composite (also jointly with task 3.2).
§ Disordered systems for photovoltaics (LENS, CSIC, UPC) The aim of this activity is to explore how diffusive resonant light transport in “photonic glasses”, can be used to enhance the efficiency of specific light harvesting devices. The potential of super diffusion of light can be assessed to probe the potential of photonic glasses for light harvesting.
§ Molecular Harvesting (ICFO, CSIC) The theme of this activity is to investigate methods to enhance the optical response of photoactive materials using well-tailored resonant nanostructures. In particular the focus is on the enhancement of optical responses in π -conjugated systems due to resonant optical nanoantennas for light harvesting.
§ Modelling light behaviour in nanostructured materials (CSIC, ICFO, TUD, US, LENS) This activity focuses on modelling the behaviour of light in nanostructured media for enhanced light harvesting. The aims of this task are (1) to provide a data-base of the models developed in the different tasks mentioned above and (2) to make recommendations for further development of the modelling tools.
§ Platform for Solar Cells (UPC, LETI, ICFO, KTH, TUD, CSIC) The aim of this activity is to provide access to a technological workbench with proven and stable state-of-the-art devices based on technologies both in Si and in polymer based solar cells. The central idea is to provide a timely evaluation of the new concepts as compared to the benchmark. At the same time setups for the measurement of photovoltaic characteristics will be made available to all participants.