LabVIEW-Based Software for a Photovoltaic External Quantum Efficiency Measurement System

POSTER

Abstract

An important characteristic of any solar cell is how efficiently it can convert the Sun’s photons into charge carriers. The method used to quantify this efficiency is known as the “external quantum efficiency (EQE)” spectral measurement, defined as the wavelength-dependent measurement of the ratio of the rate of photocurrent electron collection (electrons/second) to the rate of incident photons (photons/second). Commercial systems to measure the EQE of a solar cell often use instruments sourced from other manufacturers in tandem with software written and sold by these retailers. The hardware is fairly easy and inexpensive to purchase and setup for a lab, but the software is unique, not sold separately from the system and is inaccessible to the end-user after purchasing a system. Here, we have developed a LabVIEW-based program to control commercial instrumentation, leading to higher performance and significant cost savings. In addition, we demonstrate the significant value inherent in controlling the software development process, which allows for complete customization.

Presenters

  • Adam Halaoui

    • University of Toledo

Authors

  • Adam Halaoui

    • University of Toledo

  • Adam B. Phillips

    • The University of Toledo
    • Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
    • Wright Ctr for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, Sch. for Solar and Adv. Energy, Dept of Physics and Astronomy, Univ of Toledo
    • Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, University of Toledo, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Toledo, Ohio, 43606, USA

  • Zhaoning Song

    • Univ of Toledo
    • Wright Ctr for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, Sch. for Solar and Adv. Energy, Dept of Physics and Astronomy, Univ of Toledo
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, The Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization (PVIC), University of Toledo, Toledo OH 43606, USA.

  • Michael J. Heben

    • The University of Toledo
    • Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Toledo, Toledo, OH, 43606, USA
    • Department of Physics and Astronomy, The Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization (PVIC), University of Toledo, Toledo OH 43606, USA.
    • Wright Center for Photovoltaics Innovation and Commercialization, University of Toledo, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Toledo, Ohio, 43606, USA

  • Randy J. Ellingson

    • University of Toledo