Quantum Efficiency Research Papers - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

We present a new thin-film solar cell structure in which the traditional transparent conductive oxide electrode (ZnO) is replaced by a transparent conductive coating consisting of a network of bundled single-wall carbon nanotubes. Optical... more

We present a new thin-film solar cell structure in which the traditional transparent conductive oxide electrode (ZnO) is replaced by a transparent conductive coating consisting of a network of bundled single-wall carbon nanotubes. Optical transmission properties of these coatings are presented in relation to their electrical properties (sheet resistance), along with preliminary solar cell results from devices made using CuIn1-xGaxSe2 thinfilm absorber materials. Achieving an energy conversion efficiency of >12% and a quantum efficiency of ~80% demonstrate the feasibility of the concept. A discussion of the device structures will be presented considering the physical properties of the new electrodes comparing current-voltage results from the new solar cell structure and those from standard ZnO/CdS/Cu(In,Ga)Se2/Mo solar cells.

Aerosols have been shown to affect the quantity and quality of solar radiation on the Earth’s surface. Savanna regions are subject to frequent burning and release of aerosols that may impact on radiation components and possibly vegetation... more

Aerosols have been shown to affect the quantity and quality of solar radiation on the Earth’s surface. Savanna regions are subject to frequent burning and release of aerosols that may impact on radiation components and possibly vegetation productivity in this region. Therefore, in this study, we have analyzed the optical properties of aerosols (aerosol optical depth (AOD) and Angstrom coefficient) from the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement site in Darwin for the periods from April 2002 to June 2005 as measured by a multifilter rotating shadowband radiometer. The influence of aerosols and their effect on surface shortwave incoming solar radiation and savanna productivity were examined for the dry season using sky radiation collection of radiometers and eddy covariance measurements from the Howard Springs flux site. Results indicated that aerosol concentrations in the region were relatively low compared to other savanna regions with the maximum monthly average AOD over the period being the greatest in October (0.29 ± 0.003 standard error at 500 nm). The highest monthly average Angstrom exponent was also found in October (1.38 ± 0.008). The relatively low aerosol concentration in this region can be attributed to the mixture of smoke aerosols with humidity haze and local circulations. Over a range of AODs from 0.1 to 0.4, we found a modest increase in the fraction of diffuse radiation to total radiation from 11% to 21%. This small increase in diffuse fraction did not affect the carbon flux significantly. However, because the current range of AOD in the region is relatively low, the region could be sensitive to increases in aerosols and diffuse fraction in the future.

The cold stress effect on early vigour and photosynthesis efficiency was evaluated for five industrial chicory varieties with contrasting early vigour. The relationships between the growth and physiological parameters were assessed. The... more

The cold stress effect on early vigour and photosynthesis efficiency was evaluated for five industrial chicory varieties with contrasting early vigour. The relationships between the growth and physiological parameters were assessed. The varieties were examined at three growth temperatures: 16 (reference), 8 (intermediate) and 4 °C (stress). The effect was measured using physiological processes (growth, photosynthesis, chlorophyll a fluorescence), and pigment content. The analysis of the measured growth parameters (dry leaf and root mass, and leaf area) indicated that temperature had a significant effect on the varieties, but the overall reaction of the varieties was similar with lowering temperatures. The photosynthesis and chlorophyll a fluorescence measurements revealed significant changes for the photosynthesis (maximum net photosynthesis, quantum efficiency, light compensation point and dark respiration) and chlorophyll a fluorescence parameters (photochemical and non-photochemical quenching) with lowering temperatures for Hera and Eva, two extremes in youth growth. No significant differences could be found between the extremes for the different temperatures. The pigment content analysis revealed significant differences at 4 °C in contrast to 16 and 8 °C, especially for the xanthophyll/carotenoid pool, suggesting a protective role. Subsequently, the relationship between the physiological processes was evaluated using principal component analysis. At 4 °C, 2 principal components were detected with high discriminating power for the varieties and similar classification of the varieties as determined in the growth analysis. This provides a preview on the possible relationships between photosynthesis and growth for industrial chicory at low temperatures.

Semiconductor nanocrystals are 1–10nm inorganic particles with unique size-dependent optical and electrical properties due to quantum confinement (so they are also called quantum dots). Quantum dots are new types of fluorescent materials... more

Semiconductor nanocrystals are 1–10nm inorganic particles with unique size-dependent optical and electrical properties due to quantum confinement (so they are also called quantum dots). Quantum dots are new types of fluorescent materials for biological labeling with high quantum efficiency, long-term photostability, narrow emission, and continuous absorption spectra. Here, we discuss the recent development in making water-soluble quantum dots and related cytotoxicity for biomedical applications.

National Security Technologies (NSTec) has developed calibration procedures for X-ray imaging systems. The X-ray sources that are used for calibration are both diode type and diode/fluorescer combinations. Calibrating the X-ray detectors... more

National Security Technologies (NSTec) has developed calibration procedures for X-ray imaging systems. The X-ray sources that are used for calibration are both diode type and diode/fluorescer combinations. Calibrating the X-ray detectors is a key to accurate calibration of the X-ray sources. Both energy dispersive detectors and photodiodes measuring total flux were used. We have developed calibration techniques for the detectors using radioactive sources that are traceable to the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). The German synchrotron at Physikalische Technische Bundestalt (PTB) was used to calibrate the silicon photodiodes over the energy range from 50 to 60 keV. The measurements on X-ray cameras made using the NSTec X-ray sources included quantum efficiency averaged over all pixels, camera counts per photon per pixel, and response variation across the sensor. The instrumentation required to accomplish the calibrations is described. The X-ray energies ranged f...