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The Interfaces Lab aims to understand and develop thin-film materials that can improve next-generation optoelectronic devices and integrated circuits.
Our focus lies on the dynamics of charge carriers in metal-dielectric and dielectric-semiconductor interfaces. Such interfaces are fundamental to the operation of most electronic devices, from simple diodes and solar cells to complex 2D field effect transistors and memories. We explore a range of functional thin-film materials, which can serve as a platform for tailoring and controlling semiconductor devices. Most notoriously we work in materials that can improve the conversion efficiency of photovoltaic devices. It is our aim to promote the uptake of solar electricity generation throughout the world and in this way contribute to the mitigation of climate change.
This young group was established in 2019 by Dr Ruy Sebastian Bonilla. It brings together the world-leading work in photovoltaics carried out by the Semiconductor and Silicon PV group, with a new research area on applied thin-film materials and interfaces. We're also happy to engage in new areas where semiconductor-dielectric interfaces can affect or limit device performance, so please drop us a line if you'd like to collaborate.
APL Materials, 2020
This work reports the first account of silicon nitride (SiNx) nanolayers with electronic properties suitable for effective hole-selective contacts. We use x-ray photoemission methods to investigate ultra-thin ALD grown SiNx, and we find that the band alignment determined at the SiNx/Si interface favors hole transport.
Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2020
ALD titanium oxide nanolayers, althought known as electron selective contacts, are found to be widely tunable from electron to hole selective depending on deposition conditions, post-deposition treatments, and work function of the metal electrode used. Solar cell test structure exhibiting open-circuit voltages (Voc) as high as 720 and 650 mV are shown for electron and hole selective contacts, respectively.
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Solar Energy, 2020
Here we use EBIC to provide insights into the characteristics of PV devices in submicron scales. Imaging and quantification of laser damage is shown on PERC selective emitters, and the effect of laser damage quantified via simulations are shown to reduce 0.12% absolute efficiency of PERC cells.
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Charge fluctuations at the Si–SiO2 interface and its effect on surface recombination in solar cells
Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2020
This work presents a detailed examination of how charge at or near the Si–SiO2 interface influences the performance of silicon solar cells. SiO2 will continue to play a major role in the development of photovoltaic devices.
