Fabrication and Characterisation of optimised LDS/plasmonic-LDS layers and optimised LDS/PV and Plasmonic-LDS/PV prototypes

Optimum concentration of optical emitter for the prototype LDS layer will be determined by fabricating LDSs of varying concentrations and investigating through; optical, spectroscopy, microscopy, and electrical characterizations. Low concentration solutions of optical emitter will be prepared to minimize re-absorption which will be characterized using spectroscopic techniques. Luminescent quantum yield will be determined as it is important to have high QY of the luminescent species. Uniform thicknesses will be achieved by drop casting technique of the solutions onto glass plates and also by spin coating technique when fabricating thin film LDS layer. These characterizations will be correlated and validated by the Monte Carlo Ray-trace model to establish an optimum concentration. LDS layers and plasmonic-LDS layers will be tuned for different solar cells, attached to the top surface of the PV cell solar cells and their electrical performance will characterised using a small-scale solar simulator. Also, their quantum efficiency (QE) will be measured using a LOT-Quantum-Design QE system available within the SEAG group at TCD and LEITAT. Perovskites, Dye sensitised cells and organic dye cells will be of particular interest as they are sensitive in the UV range with typically high degradation rates in this region. Downshifting layers will absorb energy in the UV range and re emit at longer wavelengths such as in the visible range where the solar cells work best. The reemission range will be tuned to suit a particular solar cell absorption range by choice of luminescent material in a downshifting layer. Optimisation of the techniques will be undertaken, and results presented in a paper where the maximum enhancement achieved will be utilised for the fabrication. This will be completed under task 1.3.