Grant: Research Tools and Instruments

This proposal seeks funding to acquire optical spectroscopic characterization equipment for solar energy research at the University of British Columbia Okanagan campus (UBCO). External quantum efficiency (EQE) and spectral response (SR) measurements are essential and complementary techniques required for research on solar energy conversion (photovoltaics (PV), solar fuels), nanomaterials, and optoelectronic materials/devices (including sensors). Cutting-edge research at UBCO is devoted to pushing efficiency limits of conventional solar energy conversion technologies via employing novel tandem architectures, i.e. dedicated absorbers for both high and low energy photons in a single device. EQE and SR measurements are critical and indispensable protocols to assess and optimize solar device performance, providing spectral sensitivity towards solar light and quantifying photo-generated and usable charge carriers in the device (including tandem sub-devices). The combination of both EQE and SR (both specular and diffuse) elucidates key phenomenological processes in thin films and devices including reflectance, absorbance, and transmittance as well as both external and, most notably, internal quantum efficiencies (IQE) (which in turn reveals internal charge carrier collection processes). The system further allows constant photocurrent method (CPM) measurements, which provides insights on sub-bandgap absorption and is critical to improve optoelectronic properties of fabricated semiconductors and devices at UBCO. The requested research infrastructure will be unique and the first of its kind in British Columbia. There is currently no EQE system at UBCO and existing SR systems are only operable with liquid samples, within a limited wavelength range, and without integrating sphere, which is needed for total reflectance measurements of rough samples as they exhibit both specular and diffuse light components. The proposed tool will overcome acute bottlenecks in the university's characterization infrastructure and enable multi-element materials research capabilities never before possible (in particular tandem devices). The tool will be embedded in UBCO's new Clean Tech Hub, supporting UBC's strategic commitment to climate action, sustainability, advanced materials, and manufacturing excellence. This proposal is a response to the critical need for optical spectroscopic characterization equipment to support UBC's ongoing research thrust in solar energy (notably the Research Cluster on Solar Energy for Net Zero led by Dr. Uhl) and is essential to continue NRC-, MITACS, and NSERC-funded research activities. The requested equipment will not only support materials research innovation at UBC but also further research collaborations with national and international partners, contributing to urgently needed advancements in the rapidly-growing areas of renewable and clean energy, and advanced materials and devices, including photovoltaics and solar fuels.