On January 29 (Beijing time), a report from the Physicist Organization Network revealed that researchers at the University of California, Davis, have used computer simulations to demonstrate that a unique "silicon BC8" structure can generate multiple electron-hole pairs from a single photon. This breakthrough could significantly boost solar cell efficiency. The findings were recently published in the journal *Physical Review Letters*.
Solar cells operate based on the photoelectric effect. When a photon hits a silicon crystal, it creates an electron and a hole, which together produce an electric current. However, traditional solar cells only generate one pair per photon, limiting their theoretical maximum efficiency to around 33%. The new method, however, allows for multiple pairs to be created per photon, potentially pushing efficiency much higher.
The research team used the supercomputer at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to simulate the behavior of silicon BC8. This particular form of silicon is created under high pressure but remains stable at normal conditions. The simulation showed that BC8 nanoparticles can generate multiple electron-hole pairs even when exposed to visible light, making it a promising candidate for next-generation solar technology.
Stephen Weiberman, the lead author of the study, explained that this innovation could raise the maximum efficiency of solar cells to 42%, surpassing current standards. He added, "If we use parabolic mirrors to concentrate sunlight onto these new solar cells, we believe their efficiency could reach as high as 70%." This opens up exciting possibilities for future solar energy systems.
However, there are still challenges. While the BC8 structure works well under ultraviolet light, it currently doesn’t function efficiently under visible light. Earlier studies from Harvard and MIT showed that laser light or chemical pressure could create BC8 nanocrystals in regular silicon, suggesting that existing solar panels might be upgraded using similar techniques. This could pave the way for more efficient and practical solar energy solutions in the near future.
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