The goal of PhANTOM is to theoretically assess the feasibility of intermediate-band solar cells with efficiency above the theoretical limit of nowadays commercial single-junction devices.

New Intermediate-Band Material Classes

The first objective is to identify classes of chalcogenides materials that exhibit promising opto-electronic properties for the intermediate-band paradigm. An ad-hoc simulation framework for this purpose will be developed and applied carry out an extensive materials search.

Optimized Intermediate-Band Materials

The second objective is to obtain materials that are highly optimized for the intermediate-band paradigm. Starting from the previously identified classes, the interplay between atomic structure and opto-electronic properties will be investigated and used to approach ideal intermediate-band design targets.

High-Performance Intermediate-Band Solar Cells

The third and last objective is the design of an intermediate-band solar cell theoretically outperforming commercial single-junction solar cells. To this end, possible intermediate-band devices employing the optimized materials as sunlight absorbers will be simulated by rigourous FEM-based methods, with the goal of finding a design with a computed efficiency of >35%.