Photosensitised silicon solar cells: progress and challenges

Abstract

the evanescent field of the excited molecule ('optical near field') into optical states in silicon occurs at somewhat larger separation between the molecule and silicon, of the order of tens of nanometres. Accessing the critical Förster regime relies on oxide-free silicon surfaces and the covalent attachment of dyes, enabling efficient passivation and precise control of interface chemistry. Realising a complete photosensitised silicon solar cell remains a challenge and we outline promising directions and review recent progress that brings this goal closer to reality.