Lösliche Perylen-Fluoreszenzfarbstoffe mit hoher Photostabilität

Die Darstellung einer Reihe von 3,4,9,10-Perylentetracarbonsäurediimiden 1 wird beschrieben und deren Lichtechtheit quantitativ untersucht und diskutiert. Es läß sich zeigen, daß durch Einführung von tert-Butyl-Substituenten die als sehr schwerlöslich bekannten Perylen-Pigmentfarbstoffe in organischen Solventien leicht löslich werden und mit hohen Quantenausbeuten fluoreszieren

Photonics in photovoltaic systems

This paper gives an overview on photonics for photovoltaic systems. Starting from the spectral and angular distribution of the electromagnetic radiation from the sun, many important optical approaches how to improve the efficiency of solar cells are presented and discussed. Topics include antireflective coatings, various light trapping structures, refractive, reflective and fluorescent concentrators, and components for spectral management. The theoretical background is shortly described and examples of the experimental and also of the commercial realisation are given

From steam engine to solar cells: can thermodynamics guide the development of future generations of photovoltaics?

Thermodynamics has played a singular role in the development of virtually all energy technologies to-date. This review argues that it also has a role to play in the understanding and design of solar cell operation, particularly looking toward the future, high-efficiency solar cells. After a historical overview of the key developments in the ‘thermodynamics of light,’ the conversion of a monochromatic light beam is used as a starting point to analyze the conversion process, examine the fundamental losses in terms of irreversible entropy generation, and consider in detail one of the key applications: the Shockley–Queisser detailed balance. We review and compare the principal suggestions for the highest theoretical efficiency of solar energy conversion, and analyze one possible embodiment of such a third-generation structure: the hot-carrier solar cell. A somewhat different application of the statistical approach—light trapping—is reviewed at a fundamental level, and the future potential is considered for devices which combine such a ‘thermodynamic squeezing’ of light with latest developments in photonics, leading to a photonic bandgap solar cell. We argue that the widespread use of thermodynamic tools in the current photovoltaics research, especially when combined with the potential benefits to future devices, already indicates that our thinking should not be about if but how thermodynamics can guide us to make better solar cells

Simulations of geometry effects and loss mechanisms affecting the photon collection in photovoltaic fluorescent collectors

Monte-Carlo simulations analyze the photon collection in photovoltaic systems with fluorescent collectors. We compare two collector geometries: the classical setup with solar cells mounted at each collector side and solar cells covering the collector back surface. For small ratios of collector length and thickness, the collection probability of photons is equally high in systems with solar cells mounted on the sides or at the bottom of the collector. We apply a photonic band stop filter acting as an energy selective filter which prevents photons emitted by the dye from leaving the collector. We find that the application of such a filter allows covering only 1% of the collector side or bottom area with solar cells. Furthermore, we compare ideal systems in their radiative limits to systems with included loss mechanisms in the dye, at the mirror, or the photonic filter. Examining loss mechanisms in photovoltaic systems with fluorescent collectors enables us to estimate quality limitations of the used materials and components

Sn1-xBixO2 and Sn1-xTaxO2 (0 \leq x \leq 0.75): A first-principles study

The structural, elastic, electronic and optical (x = 0) properties of doped Sn1-xBixO2 and Sn1-xTaxO2 (0 \leq x \leq 0.75) are studied by using the first-principles pseudopotential plane-wave method within the local density approximation. The independent elastic constants Cij and other elastic parameters of these compounds have been calculated for the first time. The mechanical stability of the compounds with different doping concentrations has also been studied. The electronic band structure and density of states are calculated and the effect of doping on these properties is also analyzed. It is seen that the band gap of the undoped compound narrowed with dopant concentration which disappeared for x = 0.26 for Bi doping and 0.36 for Ta doping. The materials thus become conductive oxides through the change in the electronic properties of the compound for x \leq 0.75 which may be useful for potential application. The calculated optical properties, e.g. dielectric function, refractive index, absorption spectrum, loss-function, reflectivity and conductivity of the undoped SnO2 in two polarization directions are compared with both previous calculations and measurements. Keywords: Doped SnO2; First-principles; Mechanical properties; Electronic band structure; Optical properties.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figures, added 10 more references, comparison with mearements mad

The solar noise barrier project: 3. The effects of seasonal spectral variation, cloud cover and heat distribution on the performance of full-scale luminescent solar concentrator panels

We report on the relative performances of two large-scale luminescent solar concentrator (LSC) noise barriers placed in an outdoor environment monitored for over a year. Comparisons are made for the performances of a number of attached photovoltaic cells with changing spectral illumination, cloud cover conditions and other seasonal variations, and the temperatures of the cells. Differences in performance are attributed to the positioning of the panels, whether facing North/South or East/West. In general, the panels facing East/West run cooler than those facing North/South. The LSCs in both orientations appear to perform more efficiently under lower light conditions: one factor contributing to this increased performance is better spectral matching of the solar spectrum under cloudy conditions to the absorption spectrum of the embedded fluorescent dye. This work is a step forward in the characterization of a large scale LSC device, and suggests predictions of performance of devices could be made for any location given sufficient knowledge of the illumination conditions, and provides an important step towards the commercialization of these alternative solar energy generators for the urban setting

Directional sideward emission from luminescent plasmonic nanostructures

Periodic arrays of metallic nanoparticles can be used to enhance the emission of light in certain directions. We fabricated hexagonal arrays of aluminium nanoparticles combined with thin layers of luminescent material and optimized period (275 nm) and thickness (1500 nm) to obtain sideward directional emission into glass for a wavelength band around 620 nm. The key physics is that the luminescent layer acts as a waveguide, from which light is emitted at preferential angles using diffractive effects. This phenomenon has applications in the field of solid-state lighting, where there is a desire for small, bright and directional sources