Fabrication of photovoltaic cells for characterisation and modelling of interfaces

🌟 Job offer : Fabrication of perovskite solar cell architectures, advanced nanoscale characterization and modeling to study interfaces 🌟

📅 Contract type : Internship

⏳Duration : 6 months

📍 Location : Palaiseau (91120)

📚 Formation : M2, Engineering school in physics or material science

🔍 IPVF in brief :

The Île-de-France Photovoltaic Institute (IPVF), is an institute for the energy transition created in 2013. It is a scientific and technical center dedicated to the research and development of solar technologies. Located on Paris-Saclay campus, it brings together its own staff, employees of its partners, and those of external companies. The IPVF aims to become one of the world's leading centers for research, innovation, and training in the field of energy transition.

The IPVF's primary objective is to improve the performance and competitiveness of photovoltaic cells and to develop breakthrough technologies by leveraging four key drivers:

• An ambitious research program;

• Hosting 150 researchers and their laboratories on Paris-Saclay campus

• A cutting-edge technological platform (8,000 m²) open to stakeholders in the photovoltaic industry, and housing more than 100 state-of-the-art equipment units housed in clean rooms.

• A training program mainly based on a master's degree, supervision of doctoral students, and continuing education

 🔍 Context : Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cells have emerged as a novel class of photovoltaic devices that enables us to surpass the Shockley Queisser single-junction efficiency limit. However, understanding the mechanisms governing charge extraction and selectivity at contact interfaces remains one of the most fundamental challenges for advancing perovskite solar cell (PSC) technologies. While halide perovskites have demonstrated outstanding optoelectronic properties, their integration into stable and efficient devices depends critically on the choice and optimization of contact layers. The subtle interplay between ionic mobility, defect states, and dipolar effects at the perovskite/contact interface determines the overall charge selectivity and strongly impacts the open-circuit voltage and long-term reliability of PSCs.

To gain deeper insight into these interfacial phenomena, we propose to move beyond the conventional vertical device geometry and employ lateral heterojunction (LHJ) architectures based on perovskite thin films with spatially separated contact materials. In this geometry, the perovskite is deposited directly on top of a coplanar configuration of different contact layers, forming a junction that allows the local probing of the potential landscape without the convolution of vertical transport and layer stacking effects. Such an approach provides a powerful proxy to model and predict contact selectivity and charge extraction behavior in the standard vertical device configuration. To reach these goals, we will deploy an advanced multimodal advanced characterization approach coupled to a dedicated modelling effort. Modelling helps to :

1. better understand the impact of various physical parameters on cell performance,
2. develop and optimize various types of cells without having to systematically use experimental processes that might be costly
3. evaluate the potential of new structures and their maximum theoretical efficiency

💼 Fabrication, characterisation and modelling at IPVF and Geeps partner lab:

The project will take place in the context of Joint Research Program of IPVF, a key actor in research and industrialization of PV in France. The project will be in the ICARE (Improving CharActerization and REliability) thematic of Assessment activities at IPVF. More specifically, the intern will join IPVF team of characterisation and modelling, a dynamic and multidisciplinary team of IPVF, and have academic supervision as well. A part of the activities in IPVF, and part at GeePs, as a partner lab nearby.

📋 Main missions :

Considering the above-mentioned context, the main missions of this project will be :

(i) To develop and optimize the lateral heterojunction (LHJ) samples.

We have recently developed a specific device architecture which enables to better study the interplay of interfaces between absorber (perovskite) and transport layers (ETL/HTL). The next step is to optimize the device architecture and better apprehend the different nanofabrication steps in order to deliver high-quality lateral heterojunction devices. Then, lateral heterostructure samples combining state-of-the-art electron- and hole-selective contact materials on benchmark perovskite absorbers will be fabricated.

(ii) To characterize the LHJ devices using advanced characterization tools.

Advanced nanoscale characterization will be performed on the developed LHJ samples in order to finely study the (electronic) behavior of perovskite-based devices.

(iii) To develop numerical modelling of the device

The model will be employed to unravel and analyze the data obtained and establish a predictive framework for contact layer optimization in perovskite-based tandem architectures. The results will provide valuable insights into the electronic selectivity mechanisms that govern the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells and pave the way for their reliable integration into future multijunction photovoltaic modules

👤 Profile:

Hard skills :

• Physics or material science
• General knowledge of semiconductor physics.
• Knowledge of solar cells physics is a plus
• Prior experience in modeling is a plus / code or script development. ▪
• Demonstrated experience in thin-film photovoltaics device fabrication and characterization is an asset.

Soft skills :

• Curious, enterprising, and creative.
•  Autonomous.
• Excellent communication (written and oral) skills.
• Collaboration with cross-functional and diverse teams

Important note :

Strong motivation to continue this work as a PhD is expected

📧 Contacts : Applications to send to

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

🌐 Website: IPVF