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Realization of high-efficiency energy conversion in solar cells using photon up-conversion

Research Project

Project/Area Number 20K14792
Research Category

Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists

Allocation TypeMulti-year Fund
Review Section Basic Section 21060:Electron device and electronic equipment-related
Research InstitutionKobe University

Principal Investigator

Asahi Shigeo  神戸大学, 工学研究科, 准教授 (60782729)

Project Period (FY) 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
Project Status Completed (Fiscal Year 2022)
Budget Amount *help
¥4,160,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,200,000、Indirect Cost: ¥960,000)
Fiscal Year 2022: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000)
Fiscal Year 2021: ¥1,690,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,300,000、Indirect Cost: ¥390,000)
Fiscal Year 2020: ¥1,430,000 (Direct Cost: ¥1,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥330,000)
Keywords太陽電池 / ガリウムヒ素 / 量子ドット / アップコンバージョン / GaAs / InAs量子ドット / フォトンアップコンバージョン / 中間バンド型太陽電池
Outline of Research at the Start

現在の太陽電池の主流はシリコン単接合型太陽電池で、その理論変換効率はShockley-Queisser理論限界により約30%に制限される。それに対し我々は2個の低エネルギー光子から1個の高エネルギー電子を生成する2段階フォトンアップコンバージョン現象を利用した、2段階フォトンアップコンバージョン太陽電池を提案した。この太陽電池は2段階フォトンアップコンバージョンによる電流生成効率が、今までの太陽電池よりも100倍以上高いことを実験で実証している。この太陽電池を実用化するため、現在観測しているTPUによる電流生成効率をさらに増強させることを目指す。

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have proposed high-efficiency solar cells called two-step photon up-conversion solar cells that utilize intra-band transitions for up-conversion. We have demonstrated up-conversion with an efficiency over 100 times higher than that of previous similar types of solar cells. However, to contribute to enhancing the overall efficiency of the solar cell through the up-conversion phenomenon, further improvement in up-conversion efficiency is necessary. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to further increase the efficiency by a factor of 10 through modulation doping and optimization of quantum dot positioning. As a result, we achieved an approximately three-fold improvement through modulation doping and an approximately four-fold improvement through the optimization of quantum dot positioning, resulting in a total improvement of over ten times.

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究により、我々が提案する超高効率太陽電池、TPU-SC高効率化の要である、アップコンバージョン効率の向上に成功した。今後は、得られた効率的なアップコンバージョンを利用して、変換効率向上に寄与することを目指す。将来的には50%を越える高効率太陽電池を実現し、再生可能エネルギーの普及率向上、ひいては地球温暖化問題への解決に貢献することが可能である。

Report

(4 results)
  • 2022 Annual Research Report   Final Research Report ( PDF )
  • 2021 Research-status Report
  • 2020 Research-status Report
  • Research Products

    (33 results)

All 2023 2022 2021 2020

All Journal Article (5 results) (of which Peer Reviewed: 5 results) Presentation (28 results) (of which Int'l Joint Research: 10 results,  Invited: 2 results)

  • [Journal Article] Multi-step photon upconversion in quantum-dot-based solar cells with a double-heterointerface structure2023

    • Author(s)
      Mahamu Hambalee、Asahi Shigeo、Kita Takashi
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Applied Physics

      Volume: 133 Issue: 12 Pages: 124503-124503

    • DOI

      10.1063/5.0138101

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Diffusion photocurrent influenced by intraband excitation in an intermediate band solar cell with type-I band alignment2022

    • Author(s)
      Zhu Yaxing、Asahi Shigeo、Miyashita Naoya、Okada Yoshitaka、Kita Takashi
    • Journal Title

      Japanese Journal of Applied Physics

      Volume: 61 Issue: 7 Pages: 074002-074002

    • DOI

      10.35848/1347-4065/ac7620

    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Two-photon photocurrent spectra of InAs quantum dot-in-well intermediated-band solar cells at room temperature2021

    • Author(s)
      Y. Zhu, S. Asahi, N. Miyashita, Y. Okada, and T. Kita
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Applied Physics

      Volume: 130 Issue: 12 Pages: 124505-124505

    • DOI

      10.1063/5.0060569

    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Two-Step Excitation Induced Photovoltaic Properties in an InAs Quantum Dot-In-Well Intermediate-Band Solar Cell2021

    • Author(s)
      Y. Zhu, S. Asahi, K. Watanabe, N. Miyashita, Y. Okada, and T. Kita
    • Journal Title

      J. Appl. Phys.

      Volume: 129 Issue: 7 Pages: 074503-074503

    • DOI

      10.1063/5.0036313

    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Journal Article] Voltage Boost Effects in Two-Step Photon Upconversion Solar Cells with a Modulation-Doped Structure2021

    • Author(s)
      K. Watanabe, S. Asahi, Y. Zhu, and T. Kita
    • Journal Title

      Journal of Applied Physics

      Volume: 130 Issue: 8 Pages: 085701-085701

    • DOI

      10.1063/5.0058518

    • NAID

      120007143560

    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Peer Reviewed
  • [Presentation] Optimization of the Morphological Structure of Spin-Coated MAPbBr3 on p-GaAs Substrates for Perovskite/GaAs-based Photon Up-conversion Solar Cells2022

    • Author(s)
      H. Mahamu, M. Bourzier, S. Asahi,and T. Kita
    • Organizer
      第70回応用物理学会春季学術講演会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Broadband Enhancement of Intraband Transition in Two-Step Photon Up-Conversion Solar Cells with a Doubled-Heterointerface Strucure2022

    • Author(s)
      H. Mahamu, S. Asahi, T. Kita
    • Organizer
      33rd International Photovoltaic Science and Engineering Conference (PVSEC-33)
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] High Absorptivity of Intraband Transition Occurring at Heterointerface in Two-Step Photon Up-Conversion Solar Cells2022

    • Author(s)
      S. Asahi, H. Mahamu, T. Kita
    • Organizer
      8th World Conference on Photovoltaic Energy Conversion (WCPEC-8)
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Photoluminescence Characteristics of InAs Quantum Dots in the Doubled-heterointerface of AlGaAs/GaAs-based Two-step Photon Up-conversion Solar Cells2022

    • Author(s)
      H. Mahamu, S. Asahi, T. Kita
    • Organizer
      9th International Symposium on Control of Semiconductor Interfaces (ISCSI-IX)
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Intraband Absorptivity in Two-Step Photon Up-Conversion Solar Cells2022

    • Author(s)
      Y. Harada, K. Kusaki, S. Asahi, and T. Kita
    • Organizer
      International Conference on the Physics of Semiconductors (ICPS 2022)
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] ドープされたInAs/GaAs量子ドットにおける局在表面プラズモン共鳴による電場増強効果2022

    • Author(s)
      川上瑞人、原田幸弘、朝日重雄、喜多隆
    • Organizer
      日本材料学会2022年度半導体エレクトロニクス部門委員会第3回研究会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] 量子ドットを内包する半導体ヘテロナノ構造を利用した量子型赤外光検出素子の暗電流制御2022

    • Author(s)
      錦見海地、朝日重雄、喜多隆
    • Organizer
      日本材料学会2022年度半導体エレクトロニクス部門委員会第2回研究会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Intraband Transition in Two-Step Photon Up-Conversion Solar Cells2022

    • Author(s)
      Y. Harada, S. Asahi, and T. Kita
    • Organizer
      第41回電子材料シンポジウム (EMS41)
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Thermal Activation Process at the Heterointerface in Photon Up-Conversion Solar Cells Using hole Up-Conversion2022

    • Author(s)
      Y. Toyo, S. Asahi, H. Mahamu, and T. Kita
    • Organizer
      第41回電子材料シンポジウム (EMS41)
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Electrical Properties of AlGaAs/GaAs-Based Two-Step Photon Up-Conversion Solar Cells with Doubled Heterointerfaces2022

    • Author(s)
      H. Mahamu, S. Asahi, and T. Kita
    • Organizer
      第83回応用物理学会秋季学術講演会
    • Related Report
      2022 Annual Research Report
  • [Presentation] Route to high conversion efficiency solar cell2021

    • Author(s)
      Asahi Shigeo、Yukihiro Harada、Kita Takashi
    • Organizer
      The 6th International Conference on New Energy Future Energy Systems
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
  • [Presentation] Two-step up-conversion solar cells: recent progress and future direction2021

    • Author(s)
      Asahi Shigeo、Kita Takashi
    • Organizer
      8th International Workshop Epitaxial Growth and Fundamental Properties of Semiconductor Nanostructures
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research / Invited
  • [Presentation] Collection of Photocarriers Varied by Effective Electron Intraband Excitation in an InAs Quantum Dot-in-Well Intermediate Band Solar Cell2021

    • Author(s)
      Zhu Yaxing、Asahi Shigeo、Kita Takashi
    • Organizer
      48th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] 2段階フォトンアップコンバージョン太陽電池における ヘテロ界面のバンド内遷移の光吸収率2021

    • Author(s)
      朝日 重雄、Mahamu Hambalee、喜多 隆
    • Organizer
      第69回応用物理学会春季学術講演会
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] 正孔フォトンアップコンバージョン太陽電池の赤外光照射による光電流制御2021

    • Author(s)
      豊友太、朝日重雄、Mahamu Hambalee、Nielsen Michael、Ekins-Daukes Nicholas、喜多隆
    • Organizer
      第69回応用物理学会春季学術講演会
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] 正孔のアップコンバージョンを利用した2段階フォトンアップコンバージョン太陽電池のバンド内遷移過程2021

    • Author(s)
      朝日重雄、Nielsen Michael、池田一真、Ekins-Daukes Nicholas、喜多隆
    • Organizer
      第82回応用物理学会秋季学術講演会
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] On the Simulation of Two-Step Photocurrent Generation in an InAs Quantum Dot -in-Well Intermediate Band Solar Cell2021

    • Author(s)
      Zhu Yaxing、Asahi Shigeo、Kita Takashi
    • Organizer
      第82回応用物理学会秋季学術講演会
    • Related Report
      2021 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] Collection of Photocarriers Varied by Effective Electron Intraband Excitation in an InAs Quantum Dot-in-Well Intermediate Band Solar Cell2021

    • Author(s)
      Y. Zhu, S. Asahi, and T. Kita
    • Organizer
      48th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Efficiency Compensation from Intraband Transitions of Opposite Carrier in a Quantum Dot-in-Well Intermediate Band Solar Cell2021

    • Author(s)
      Y. Zhu, S. Asahi, and T. Kita
    • Organizer
      第68回応用物理学会春季学術講演会
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] 変調ドープした二段階フォトンアップコンバージョン太陽電池における電圧上昇効果2021

    • Author(s)
      渡辺航平、朝日重雄、喜多隆
    • Organizer
      第68回応用物理学会春季学術講演会
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] Up-Converted Photocurrent Enhancement in Modulation-Doped Two-Step Photon Up-Conversion Solar Cells2020

    • Author(s)
      K. Watanabe, S. Asahi, Y. Zhu, and T. Kita
    • Organizer
      47th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Intensive-Light-Induced Backtracking Voltage Phenomenon: An Insight into Intermediate-Band Solar Cell Output Performance2020

    • Author(s)
      Y. Zhu, S. Asahi, and T. Kita
    • Organizer
      47th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
    • Int'l Joint Research
  • [Presentation] Performance Analysis of an InAs/GaAs/Al0.3Ga0.7As Quantum Dot-in-Well Intermediate Band Solar Cell Under Two-Step Photoexcitations2020

    • Author(s)
      Y. Zhu, S. Asahi, K. Watanabe and T. Kita
    • Organizer
      第39回電子材料シンポジウム
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] Dramatic Enhancement of Current and Voltage in Modulation-Doped Two-Step Photon Up-Conversion Solar Cells2020

    • Author(s)
      K. Watanabe, S. Asahi, Y. Zhu, and T. Kita
    • Organizer
      第39回電子材料シンポジウム
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] 正孔のアップコンバージョンを利用した2段階フォトンアップコンバージョン太陽電池の追加赤外光による光電流減少メカニズム2020

    • Author(s)
      朝日重雄、M. Nielsen, N.J. Ekins-Daukes, 喜多隆
    • Organizer
      第81回応用物理学会秋季学術講演会
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] Performance Degradation of Quantum Dot-in-Well Intermediate Band Solar Cell Under Intense Bi-Color Barrier and Intraband Photoexcitations2020

    • Author(s)
      Y.Zhu, S. Asahi, and T. Kita
    • Organizer
      第81回応用物理学会秋季学術講演会
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] 変調ドープした二段階フォトンアップコンバージョン太陽電池における光励起効率の向上2020

    • Author(s)
      渡辺航平、朝日重雄、喜多隆
    • Organizer
      第81回応用物理学会秋季学術講演会
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report
  • [Presentation] 渡辺航平、朝日重雄、Yaxing Zhu、喜多隆2020

    • Author(s)
      変調ドープによるフォトンアップコンバージョン太陽電池の特性制御
    • Organizer
      日本材料学会半導体エレクトロニクス部門委員会
    • Related Report
      2020 Research-status Report

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Published: 2020-04-28   Modified: 2024-01-30  

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