Scrutinizing the formation of interfaces for highly efficient solar energy conversion

 

Oliver Supplie, Matthias M. May, Sebastian Brückner, Thomas Hannappel*

 

Dr. O. Supplie, Dr. S. Brückner, Prof. Dr. T. Hannappel

Technical University Ilmenau, Institute for Physics, Ilmenau, Germany
*E-mail: thomas.hannappel@tu-ilmenau.de   

Dr. M.M. May

University of Cambridge, Department of Chemistry, Cambridge, UK

Dr. S. Brückner

Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems, Freiburg, Germany

 

 

Keywords: energy conversion, interfaces, in situ analysis, photo-induced reactions

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ABSTRACT:

 

Highly efficient solar energy conversion and opto-electronic device performance are representing topical scientific fields. They do, however, require precise knowledge of interfacial scenarios on the microscopic, preferably atomic scale. Complex chemical environments such as a vapor phase ambient are particular challenging to gain thorough insight into interfacial reactions therein. The talk introduces a spectrum of relevant material systems, their efficient application in energy technologies, and appropriate spectroscopy routes capable to monitor critical physico-chemical reactions in situ. Artificial photochemical reactions involving interfaces in chemical vapor ambient and in the liquid, or defect-free nucleation of disjunct materials such as semiconductors on silicon are scrutinized down to the atomic scale in real-time, also accounting for equilibrium versus non-equilibrium, kinetically driven processes, in order to accelerate progress in the realization of efficient energy materials and photo-induced processes.

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BIOGRAPHIE:

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since 2011   Professor (W3) at Technische Universität Ilmenau, Department Photovoltaics;

                 Topics: solar energy conversion; development of high-efficiency and record breaking solar cells and water splitting devices; epitaxial growth of Si, Ge, III-V, bulk, interfaces, quantum structures, nanowires, high-end analytics for crystal growth and light-matter-interaction

 

2011-2013   Scientific director of Solar Centre at CIS research institute, Erfurt

 

2009-2011  Director of the ínstitute (acting) “Materials for Photovoltaics”, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie

 

2006             Habilitation, Experimental Physics, Free University Berlin

                     Subject: ”InP(100)-based interfaces for photovoltaics prepared via metal organic chemical vapor                       deposition”

                      College Lecturer

 

2005-2009   Department head (acting), Dep. "Dynamics of Interfacial Reactions", Hahn-Meitner-Institute Berlin

 

2003-2004    Sabbatical Leave, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, CO, USA, “MOCVD prepared III-V on silicon solar cells”

 

1998-2003    Group Leader at Hahn-Meitner-Institute Berlin

                    "III-V solar cells and interfaces”, permanent position since 1998

 

1997-1998     Research Assistant, Fritz-Haber-Institute of the Max-Planck-Society

 

1997               Dr. rer. nat. (magna cum laude), Technische Universität Berlin

                       1st and 2nd Reviewer: Prof. Dr. C. Thomsen, Prof. Dr. F. Willig, Subject of Graduate Thesis:                                “Photo induced charge carrier separation in the dye sensitized solar cell”, Technical University                           Berlin/Fritz-Haber-Institute the Max-Planck-Society”

 

1993-1997        Doctoral candidate at Fritz-Haber-Institute of the Max-Planck-Society, Department Physical                               Chemistry

 

1993               Physics diploma 1.0, Technische Universität Berlin

                       Subject of diploma thesis:  “MBE-preparation of Mn-containing II-VI-semi-conductors and                                characterisation in UHV with synchrotron radiation”

 

1990 - 1994     Technische Universität Berlin: Solid State Institute, II-VI-semi-   conductors, Si(100), molecular                             beam epitaxy (MBE), analysis with synchrotron radiation

 

1986 - 1993         Studies of physics at Rheinisch-Westfälische Technische Hochschule (RWTH)                                                        Aachen/Technische Universität Berlin

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