2 Nov
2017
2 Nov
'17
8:07 a.m.
TODAY! Please post and forward to your groups:
[cid:image001.jpg@01D352FB.69091C30]CENTER FOR EXCITONICS SEMINAR SERIES
presents<http://www.rle.mit.edu/excitonics/>s/>:
Self-oscillations in Photovoltaic, Thermoelectric and Fuel Cells
November 2, 2017 at 3 pm/36-428
Robert Alicki
Gdansk University/ Theoretical and Mathematical Physics
[http://www.rle.mit.edu/excitonics/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/aliki.jpg]
A standard textbook picture of photovoltaic/thermoelectric /fuel cells and biological
engines ( e.g. proton pump) assumes a direct transformation of light, heat or chemical
energy into electric current. However, this scheme is inconsistent with the basic
principles of electrodynamics and thermodynamics. To solve this problem the mechanism of
collective electric charge self-oscillations fed by a constant energy supply controlled by
a feedback mechanism , has been proposed. These coherent oscillations play a role of a
piston pumping electrons and holes against the gradient of electrochemical potential. A
simple analog system - a steam engine used to propel the so-called "putt-putt
boat" - is used to illustrate the physics of work generation in the discussed
conversion engines (see [1] and references therein).
The basic qualitative prediction of this model are: a) existence of oscillating component
in a charge separation dynamics, b) emission of long-wave radiation (THz radiation for
semiconductor solar cells) produced by the oscillating component, c) enhancement of
photocurrent by resonant external long-wave radiation.
The recent experiments with organic photovoltaic materials illuminated by laser pulses
exhibit the phenomena a) and c) [2] [3] strongly supporting our theory.
[1]R. Alicki , D. Gelbwaser-Klimovsky and A. Jenkins, A thermodynamic cycle for the solar
cell, Ann.Phys. 378 , 71 (2017), [2]A. De Sio et. al. , Tracking the coherent generation
of polaron pairs in conjugated polymers, Nat. Commun. 13742 (2016), [3]A. Bakulin et. al.,
Mode-selective vibrational modulation of charge transport in organic electronic devices,
Nat.Commun. 8880 (2015)
Robert Alicki received his MS in 1974, PhD in 1977 and was a postdoctoral research
assistant from 1974-77 at the University of Gdansk. In 1977 he became an Assistant
Professor and in 1994 received his full professorship at Gdansk. He is the recipient of
numerous awards and fellowships from across the globe and has authored and co-authored
about 120 publication and co-author of 2 monographs: "Quantum Dynamical Semigroups
and Applications", Springer, Berlin 1987, II edition 2007 (with K. Lendi);
"Quantum Dynamical Systems", Oxford University Press, 2001 (with M. Fannes).
Research activity is devoted to mathematical physics , nonequilibrium statistical
mechanics, quantum open systems, quantum dynamical systems, quantum thermodynamics,
quantum information and foundations of quantum mechanics.
The Center For Excitonics Is An Energy Frontier Research Center Funded By The U.S.
Department Of Energy,
Office Of Science And Office Of Basic Energy Sciences
Light refreshments will be served.
