Carrier transport, generation and recombination in semiconductors : Solar Energy

This course on carrier transport, generation, and recombination in semiconductors for solar energy provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental processes that govern the operation of photovoltaic devices. It begins with the basics of semiconductor physics, including energy bands, charge carriers, and intrinsic and extrinsic materials. Participants will explore how electron-hole pairs are generated under solar illumination and how these carriers move through materials via drift and diffusion mechanisms. The course also covers key recombination processes such as radiative, Auger, and Shockley-Read-Hall recombination, which significantly affect solar cell efficiency. Learners will gain insights into carrier lifetime, diffusion length, and their impact on device performance. Practical aspects such as material selection, doping, and defect engineering will also be discussed. Additionally, the course introduces modeling and simulation techniques used to analyze carrier dynamics in solar cells. Real-world case studies will help bridge theory with practical solar cell design. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the knowledge required to understand and optimize semiconductor behavior for improved solar energy conversion efficiency.