Function: PhD Student
Contract : CDD
Start : 4th quarter 2024
Duration : 3 years
Working place : IPVF – 18 boulevard Thomas Gobert, 91120 Palaiseau
Education: Master graduate
Become an actor of the Energy Transition by joining a team driven by innovation and impact to address today’s most decisive challenges.
IPVF – Institut Photovoltaïque d’Île-de-France, is a global Research, Innovation and Education center, which mission is to accelerate energy transition through science & technology.
Bringing together recognized industrial leaders (TotalEnergies, EDF, Air Liquide, Horiba and Riber) and world-renowned academic research teams (CNRS, Ecole Polytechnique), IPVF’ multidisciplinary and international teams conduct research dedicated to clean energy technologies (photovoltaics, green hydrogen, etc.). IPVF has built an ambitious scientific and technological research program, divided into 5 programs and 19 sub-projects, to achieve this objective.
These programs are based on a high-level experimental platform of 8,000 m², located in Paris-Saclay, and comprising more than 100 cutting-edge equipment worth €30M.
Global growth in energy demand and environmental concerns about the use of fossil fuels underline the urgent need to develop sustainable alternatives. Solar energy, which is abundant and clean, is emerging as a promising solution. At present, silicon-based photovoltaic devices dominate the market because of their efficiency and stability. However, to further increase their performance, a new approach is needed. Tandem devices offer a solution by combining two solar cells to maximize conversion of the solar spectrum energy. By combining a lower cell efficient in the infrared with an upper cell optimized for the blue and UV, these devices push back the theoretical limits of conversion. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are emerging as a promising option for the top cell due to their adaptable properties and low manufacturing cost.
The stability of PSCs remains however a challenge, limiting their large-scale integration. Research efforts are aimed at improving their lifespan and understanding degradation mechanisms. In this context, the IPVF is committed to the industrialization of tandem Pk/Si devices, by developing suitable manufacturing processes and seeking solutions to guarantee
their long-term stability.
This thesis draws on the expertise in optoelectronic characterization of the IPVF and LuMin teams, who specialize in semiconductors for photovoltaics and LEDs. They have international expertise in hybrid perovskite-based devices. The characterization of semiconductor layers or complete devices by photoluminescence (PL) or electroluminescence (EL) enables their physical-chemical nature and ability to carry charges to be assessed. Unique equipment has been developed for spectral mapping of luminescence.
Multi-scale characterization provides access to the optoelectronic properties of perovskite and the quality of its interfaces. By
combining these techniques with structural and physical-chemical methods such as X-ray diffraction and spectroscopy, the
impact of manufacturing parameters can be assessed and adjusted. The PhD student will work at the interface between
characterization and manufacturing, benefiting from the IPVF’s expertise in these fields.
The main tasks will be as follows:
– Define measurement protocols for perovskite modules that will be applied before ageing to identify potential weak points. This protocol should enable a multi-scale analysis from the local point defect to the macroscopic
characteristics.
– Define standardized ageing tests in order to decorrelate the impact of the various environmental stresses to which a PV module may be subjected in actual operation.
– Identify degradation mechanisms by post-mortem analysis of the structures studied. It will certainly also be useful to study the coupling effects of applied environmental stresses, which are a particular feature of perovskite technology.
– Share results in conferences and publications in peer-reviewed journals
– Semiconductor physics (solar cells)
– Instrumental optics
– Matlab / Python / Origin
– Autonomy, initiative, rigorous
– Teamwork
Work history (CV), recommendation letter and covering letter to send to :
Feel free to contact us for more information about our offers.
+33(0)1 69 86 58 60
contact@ipvf.fr
