Thermodynamics of photoelectric devices
We study the nonequilibrium steady state thermodynamics of a photodevice which can operate as a solar cell or a photoconductor, depending on the degree of asymmetry of the junction. The thermodynamic efficiency is captured by a single coefficient of performance. Using a minimal model based on a two-...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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American Physical Society
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Physical Review Research |
| Online Access: | http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.013252 |
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| _version_ | 1849761121194475520 |
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| author | Samuel L. Jacob Artur M. Lacerda Yonatan Dubi John Goold |
| author_facet | Samuel L. Jacob Artur M. Lacerda Yonatan Dubi John Goold |
| author_sort | Samuel L. Jacob |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | We study the nonequilibrium steady state thermodynamics of a photodevice which can operate as a solar cell or a photoconductor, depending on the degree of asymmetry of the junction. The thermodynamic efficiency is captured by a single coefficient of performance. Using a minimal model based on a two-level system, we show that when the Coulomb interaction energy matches the transport gap of the junction, the photoconductor displays maximal response, performance, and signal-to-noise ratio, while the same regime is always detrimental for the solar cell. Nevertheless, we find that the Coulomb interaction is beneficial for the solar cell performance if it lies below the transport gap. Our work sheds important light on design principles for thermodynamically efficient photodevices in the presence of Coulomb interactions. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-88a6e89cc7564ef19003c4e8dd619e9b |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2643-1564 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | American Physical Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Physical Review Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-88a6e89cc7564ef19003c4e8dd619e9b2025-08-20T03:06:08ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Research2643-15642025-03-017101325210.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.013252Thermodynamics of photoelectric devicesSamuel L. JacobArtur M. LacerdaYonatan DubiJohn GooldWe study the nonequilibrium steady state thermodynamics of a photodevice which can operate as a solar cell or a photoconductor, depending on the degree of asymmetry of the junction. The thermodynamic efficiency is captured by a single coefficient of performance. Using a minimal model based on a two-level system, we show that when the Coulomb interaction energy matches the transport gap of the junction, the photoconductor displays maximal response, performance, and signal-to-noise ratio, while the same regime is always detrimental for the solar cell. Nevertheless, we find that the Coulomb interaction is beneficial for the solar cell performance if it lies below the transport gap. Our work sheds important light on design principles for thermodynamically efficient photodevices in the presence of Coulomb interactions.http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.013252 |
| spellingShingle | Samuel L. Jacob Artur M. Lacerda Yonatan Dubi John Goold Thermodynamics of photoelectric devices Physical Review Research |
| title | Thermodynamics of photoelectric devices |
| title_full | Thermodynamics of photoelectric devices |
| title_fullStr | Thermodynamics of photoelectric devices |
| title_full_unstemmed | Thermodynamics of photoelectric devices |
| title_short | Thermodynamics of photoelectric devices |
| title_sort | thermodynamics of photoelectric devices |
| url | http://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.7.013252 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT samuelljacob thermodynamicsofphotoelectricdevices AT arturmlacerda thermodynamicsofphotoelectricdevices AT yonatandubi thermodynamicsofphotoelectricdevices AT johngoold thermodynamicsofphotoelectricdevices |