Photovoltaic effect in p-n junction

Where does the photovoltaic effect occur?

The photovoltaic effect occurs in solar cells. These solar cells are composed of two different types of semiconductors - a p-type and an n-type - that are joined together to create a p-n junction. To read the background on what these semiconductors are and what the junction is, click here.

Are photovoltaic devices made from PN junctions?

Many devices, including photovoltaic devices, LEDs, photodiodes, semiconductor lasers, and thermoelectric devices are essentially made from pn junctions. To understand photovoltaic devices and these other energy conversion devices, we need to understand pn junctions.

How do B-P pn junctions show photovoltaic effect?

The b-P PN junctions show photovoltaic effect up to the NIR part of the electromagnetic spectrum. Figure 5b plots the Ids – Vds curves in the PN configuration in dark (solid black line) and with excitation wavelengths of 808, 885 and 940 nm (P =0.33 μW).

What is the photovoltaic effect?

The photovoltaic effect is a process that generates voltage or electric current in a photovoltaic cell when it is exposed to sunlight. It is this effect that makes solar panels useful, as it is how the cells within the panel convert sunlight to electrical energy. The photovoltaic effect was first discovered in 1839 by Edmond Becquerel.

How do photovoltaic solar cells work?

In conventional photovoltaic solar cells, photogenerated carriers are extracted by the built-in electric field of a semiconductor PN junction, defined by ionic dopants. In atomically thin semiconductors, the doping level can be controlled by the field effect, enabling the implementation of electrically tunable PN junctions.

How does a semiconductor p n (diode) junction solar cell work?

In the case of a semiconductor p–n (diode) junction solar cell, illuminating the material creates an electric current because excited electrons and the remaining holes are swept in different directions by the built-in electric field of the depletion region. The AC PV is operated at the non-equilibrium conditions.