Optimal quantum dot size for photovoltaics with fusion

Abstract

Light fusion increases the efficiency of solar cells by converting photons with lower energy than the bandgap into higher energy photons. The solar cell converts the product photons to current. We use Monte Carlo simulation to predict that lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dot sensitizers will enable fusion with a figure of merit on the mA cm⁻² scale, exceeding current records, while enabling silicon cell compatibility. Performance is highly sensitive to quantum dot size, on the order of mA cm⁻² nm⁻¹.