Photonic Nanostructures for Solar Energy Harvesters

A solar cell is a popular choice for harnessing the infinite source of solar energy. However, in spite of being an attractive technique, it has inherent limitations for trapping all of the incident photons. Maximizing the absorption of incident photons to produce the maximum possible electrical output is always the main impetus for researchers working to make solar cells compatible with existing sources of electrical energy. It has been well established that the light trapping in the solar cells can play a vital role in improving their performance, and nanophotonic structures have demonstrated stupendous results and shown real potential to enhance their performance.

In this webinar, Dr. Nikhil Deep Gupta will first discuss the importance of solar energy focusing on the effects that limit the efficiency of solar energy harvesters. Then, he will introduce the concept of photonic nanostructures for solar energy harvesters. Several innovations that helped to push these devices to the current state of the art will be reviewed. The speaker will focus on the role of photonics in this development by looking at different experimental approaches to nanotexture solar energy harvesters and discuss how optical simulations helped to improve their performance.

Subject Matter Level: Introductory - Assumes little previous knowledge of the topic

What You Will Learn:
• The role of photonics in designing and improving the performance of the solar energy harvesters
• The various issues related to Perovskite/Silicon Tandem cell design
• The current scenario of the light trapping in solar cells and other solar energy harvesters and how optics has the ability to change the course of the solar cells field and optics for energy in large

Who Should Attend:
• Students of optics and photonics, material science (or chemistry), and energy who are interested in expanding their knowledge about photonic solar cells
• Early careers seeking for new areas of application of photonics in energy sector
• Professionals working in solar cell industry

About the Presenter: Nikhil Deep Gupta from Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur (India)

Nikhil Deep Gupta is an Assistant Professor, Visvesvaraya National Institute of Technology, Nagpur since May 2018. Prior to this role, Nikhil held assistant professorships at Manipal University Jaipur and GLA University. Nikhil began his academic career as a Junior Research Fellow at Malaviya National Institute of Technology Jaipur where he also got his PhD in Optics/Optical Sciences with a focus on Solar Cells. His research interests are thin film solar cells and their applications, new photonics materials and devices based on compound semiconductors, display technology, photonic crystals and photonic crystal-based devices. He is the recipient of The Royal Society International Exchange (UK) grant, National Science and Technology Council (Taiwan), and India US Science and Technology Forum (IUSSTF) Fellowship to serve as Visiting Scientist at Purdue University, USA. He has authored >40 research papers and owns a patent. Nikhil served the Optics for Energy TG as chair from 2022 to 2024.