Physics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices XIV

This conference attempts to capture basic research and breakthroughs in the application of photonic/novel device architectures and the development of advanced modeling and simulation techniques to feed the innovation pipeline leading to revolutionary and practically viable high-efficiency photovoltaic (PV) technologies for solar cells and other photovoltaic devices including photonic power converters, thermophotovoltaics, indoor PV cells, and other. The conference also aims at providing an interdisciplinary forum to enhance interactions between physicists, photonic engineers, materials scientists, and photovoltaic device specialists at both the experimental and theoretical levels.

Theoretical or experimental papers are sought to address recent advances in basic material/device physics, simulation, demonstration, and optimization of:

• advanced light management concepts and architectures, including new approaches to spectral engineering (i.e. luminescent concentrators, up-down converters), light concentration, surface texturing and light trapping (i.e. ordered and disordered patterning, micro/nano- engineered ARs), as well as synergistic hybrid/multifunctional designs
• non-conventional PV converters, in particular application of advanced photonics to enable unique conversion mechanisms. Examples include application of photonics to enable the demonstration of advanced quantum confined or nanostructured concepts, intermediate band concepts, multiple exciton generation, thermophotonics, valley photovoltaics and/or hot-carrier effects
• advanced single and multi-junction devices leveraging on innovative materials or/and photonic architectures. In particular the simulation or/and demonstration of cross-cutting photonic engineering approaches for enhancing the performance, reliabilityreliability, and functionality of these devices
• advanced optical characterization techniques, including photoluminescence, electroluminescence, cathodoluminescence, ellipsometry, reflectometry, and time-resolved measurements. Correlative and multi-scale characterization techniques are also welcome
• quantum- and nano-structured devices with a particular focus on deciphering the science at play in photogeneration, recombination, and carrier transport in quantum well/quantum dot and wire devices
• novel materials for PV absorbers (perovskites, and related materials and beyond), polycrystalline semiconductors (CdTe, CIGS, CZTS), hybrid organic/inorganic heterostructure devices, and advances in transparent conducting oxides
• defect-tolerant PV designs and application of photonics to enhance defect tolerance (dislocations, radiation defects, grain- boundaries, points defects) of solar cells
• contributions dealing with advanced, scalable micro/nano-fabrication technique, the development of low-cost fabrication of material and devices, are also of relevance.

Finally, the conference also welcomes new and emerging methods in simulation of PV and hybrid photonic/PV devices, including but not limited to 3D-drift diffusion and RCWA models, integrated ab-initio, multi-scale simulation techniques including AI and machine learning approaches.