Objective
Replacement of fossil fuels with renewable energy sources is one of the main challenges of our time. Harvesting solar radiation is a possible solution, as the sunlight power reaching Earth is orders of magnitude larger than human consumption. However, the efficiency of photovoltaic solar cells is limited by dissipation of all the photons energy exceeding the semiconductor bandgap according to the Shockley-Queisser (SQ) limit. The bulk photovoltaic (BPV) effect arising in non-centrosymmetric crystals has attracted considerable attention as above-bandgap electrons are predicted to contribute to the photocurrent, thus breaking the SQ limit. To enhance BPV-device efficiencies the underlying tensorial light-matter interaction needs further attention. Until now, the contribution from the three-dimensional shape of the electromagnetic field has been neglected, while a greater emphasis has been placed on the effect of the in-plane field gradient. A comprehensive theoretical and experimental understanding of the vectorial coupling between the conductivity tensor and the three-dimensional field structure is thus far lacking. The goal of this proposal is to identify the mechanism governing this coupling through carefully engineered light beams and by nanoscale mapping of the photocurrent with a novel scanning probe technique. This knowledge will be used to develop an optimization algorithm to improve BPV-devices efficiency: given a target material it will return the light structuring which maximizes the photocurrent generation. During the project I will complement my skills in scanning probe techniques, optics and solid-state physics with methods in structured light and materials science/engineering. This unique set of skills will enable the progress of my career in the emerging field of structured light-matter interactions. At the same time, I will acquire the necessary transferrable skills (leadership, communication and grant writing) to become an independent group leader.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
- natural sciences physical sciences electromagnetism and electronics semiconductivity
- engineering and technology environmental engineering energy and fuels
- natural sciences physical sciences theoretical physics particle physics photons
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2023-PF-01
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
16163 GENOVA
Italy
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.