
Solar Cells and Photovoltaics
Investigation of silicon solar cells (SC), dye sensitized SC, perovskite SC, Grätzel SC, organic photovoltaics (OPV), and other photoactive devices such as photo sensors. Determining power conversion efficiency, incident-photon-to-current-conversion efficiency IPCE, fillfactor and charge extraction.
Depleting fossil energy resources and the climate change are forcing to look for alternatives. Here, photovoltaics have been seen as the most promising environmental friendly energy supply for the past decades.
The direct conversion of sunlight into electricity is emission free, quiet and reliable. With time, dozens of different solar cells types were investigated, but only a few have been established. Nevertheless, the urge of changing our way of energy production makes research in the field of solar cells absolutely essential. New materials have to be found showing high solar energy conversion efficiencies at low cost productions.
ZAHNER areas of application
- Photovoltaics
- Solar cells
- Photon-to-current-conversion
ZAHNER methods of choice
- Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS)
- Photocurrent spectra: PCS
- Quantum efficiency (QE)
- Incident-photon-conversion / Incident-photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE)
- Fast light intensity transients: photocurrent & photovoltage response (FIT)
- AM 1.5 solar simulator
Main Instruments
CIMPS - Controlled Intensity Modulated Photocurrent Spectroscopy
The ZAHNER CIMPS system based on LED arrays brings an additional advantage compared to the IMPS described in the literature: a control loop regulates light intensity and modulation and keeps it absolutely stable.
CIMPS-QE/IPCE - Quantum Efficiency & Photon to Current Conversion Efficiency
The ZAHNER CIMPS-QE/IPCE system is a fully integrated and compact workstation setup for highly accurate Quantum Efficiency (QE) and Incident-Photon to Current Conversion Efficiency (IPCE) measurements.
CiIMPS pcs - Photocurrent Spectra
Electrochemical photocurrent spectra system for quantum efficiency / incident photon conversion efficiency measurements. Extend the scope of your CIMPS system to the examination of solar cells, DSSC, ...
CIMPS fit - Fast Light Intensity Transients
Fast Light Intensity Transients System
An option which makes your CIMPS system fit for the investigation of fast kinetics in organic, dye sensitized and monolitic SC as well as OLEDs, OLECS, photosensors etc. ...
Accessories
Light Sources
Over 50 monochromatic light sources from UV to IR are available. The portfolio includes high power white and coloured LEDs, tungsten lamps and tuneable light sources.
PEC - Cells
The PECC-1/PECC-2 are specially tailored for testing electrode materials with photoelectrochemical techniques. Several mounting options for samples offer flexibility for various tasks.
Light Exclusion Box
The CIMPS Light Exclusion Box (LEB) is an indispensable supplement for all CIMPS applications using CIMPS LED light sources. Next to its function to protect the sample setup from light, at the same time, it works as a Faraday’s cage.