<div>Global warming poses an existential threat to humanity and is inevitable unless significant efforts are made to eliminate its root causes. The need to replace fossil fuels with renewable sources has been obvious for many years, yet the world still receives the vast majority of its energy from non-renewable reservoirs. Harnessing solar radiation is the most promising route to ensure a carbon-free energy future, as the sun is the sole source of energy that can meet humankind’s energy demands for generations to come.<br></div><div><br></div><div>The most widely recognized technology associated with the sun is a photovoltaic (PV) cell, which converts electromagnetic radiation directly into electricity that can either be used immediately or stored for later use. Silicon-based solar cells currently dominate (>90% market share) the global PV market, driven in part due to parallel research in the microelectronics industry. However, silicon is an indirect bandgap material, resulting in inflexible solar modules, and it requires high capital expenditures and high energy inputs for terawatt scale manufacturing.</div><div><br></div><div>The remainder of the commercial PV market consists of thin-film technologies based on Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGSe) and CdTe. These materials have a direct bandgap, so they can be used in flexible applications, and they are readily scalable due to their amenability to low-cost, roll-to-roll manufacturing. The power conversion efficiencies of CIGSe and CdTe cells have exceeded 20% and are nearing those of silicon cells, but concerns over the long-term supply of indium and tellurium cast doubt on whether these materials can be deployed at large scales. Alternative materials, such as Cu₂ZnSnS_4-xSe_x (CZTSSe), have been researched for many years; the allure of a material with earth abundant elements and properties similar to CIGSe and CdTe was quite enticing. However, recent work suggests that CZTSSe is fundamentally limited by the formation of defects and band tails in the bulk material, and the efficiencies of CZTSSe-based devices have been saturated since 2013.</div><div><br></div><div>New materials for the PV market must meet several criteria, including constituent earth abundant elements, outstanding optoelectronic properties, and low propensity for defect formation. In this regard, the copper-arsenic-sulfur family of materials is an attractive candidate for PV applications. Cu, As, and S are all earth abundant elements with sufficiently different ionic radii, suggesting high defect formation energies. In addition, previous computational work has suggested that several ternary phases, most notably enargite Cu₃AsS₄, have appropriate bandgaps, high absorption coefficients, and high predicted efficiencies in a thin-film PV device. The system must be investigated experimentally, with attention not only paid to synthesis and device performance, but also to characteristics that give clues as to whether high efficiencies are achievable.</div><div><br></div><div>This dissertation studies the Cu-As-S system in the context of thin-film photovoltaics, with an emphasis on Cu₃AsS₄ and detours to related materials discussed when appropriate. The first synthesis of Cu₃AsS₄ thin-films is reported using solution-processed nanoparticles as precursors. Initial device efficiencies reach 0.18%, which are further boosted to 0.35% through optimization of the annealing procedure. Several limitations to the initial approach are identified (most notably the presence of a carbonaceous secondary phase) and addressed through post-processing treatments and ligand exchange. Cu₃AsS₄ is also rigorously characterized using a suite of optoelectronic techniques which demonstrate favorable defect characteristics that motivate continued research. The current limitations to Cu₃AsS₄ performance stem from improper device architecture rather than material properties. Further development of Cu-As-S thin films must focus on identifying and fabricating ideal device architectures in parallel with continued improvements to film fabrication.</div><div><br></div><div>This dissertation ultimately demonstrates high promise for Cu₃AsS₄ as a thin-film PV material. It also may serve as an example for other researchers studying new materials, as the examination of fundamental optoelectronic properties early in the material’s development phase is key to ensure that limited scientific resources are invested into the compounds with the highest potential impact on society.<br></div>

Στην παρούσα εργασία ερευνάται η τρίτης τάξης μη γραμμική απόκριση διαφόρων υλικών τα οποία μελετήθηκαν σε μορφή διαλυμάτων ή λεπτών υμενίων. Αρχικά περιγράφονται βασικές έννοιες της μη γραμμικής οπτικής, μερικών σημαντικών φυσικών διαδικασιών που σχετίζονται με αυτή, καθώς και των διαφόρων μηχανισμών που μπορούν να συνεισφέρουν στο μη γραμμικό δείκτη διάθλασης. Στη συνέχεια παρουσιάζεται η μη γραμμική οπτική απόκριση νανοδομών Au, Pd και Ag. Με τη βοήθεια πολυμερών αποτρέπεται η συσσωμάτωση και καθίζηση του μετάλλου και επιτυγχάνεται η δημιουργία μεταλλικών νανοσωματιδίων συγκεκριμένω διαστάσεων. Επίσης μελετάται η μη γραμμικότητα TiO2, φουλλερενικών παραγώγων και μοριακών μηχανών. Η μεγάλη απόκριση των συστημάτων αυτών σε συνδυασμό με την έντονη εξάρτησή της από διάφορες μορφολογικές/δομικές παραμέτρους καθιστά τα συστήματα αυτά πολύ χρήσιμα για φωτονικές εφαρμογές. / In this work the third order nonlinear optical response of several photonic materials, has been investigated. These materials were in the form of solutions, colloids or thin films. Initially some basic concepts of nonlinear optics, the physical processes related with it, as well as the physical mechanisms related to the nonlinear refractive index are presented. Then, the nonlinear optical response of Au, Pd and Ag nanoparticles is presented. By using polymers, formation of nanoparticles exhibiting specific sizes can be achieved. Furthermore the polymer does not allow metal aggregation in the system. The nonlinearity of TiO2 films, fullerene derivatives and molecular engines is also investigate. The large response of these systems, combined with the strong dependence on several morphological/structural parameters makes them very promising candidates for several photonic applications.

Neste trabalho são analisados os quatro modos de plasmon, ligados simétrico (Sb) e assimétrico (ab), fuga pelo núcleo (ln) e fuga pela cobertura (lc), que se propagam em uma fibra óptica fracamente guiada envolta por um filme metálico. No filme metálico é depositada uma camada dielétrica extra e acima desta, uma outra denominada cobertura. A análise será desenvolvida para filmes metálicos de prata, paládio e ouro. Esta estrutura é muito útil na confecção de sensores ópticos. / In this work the four Plasmon modes are analyzed, the symmetrical (Sb) and asymmetrical bounded (ab); the core (ln) and covering leaky modes (lc), that propagate in weakly guided optical fibers with a metallic film around that. In the metallic film a layer extra dielectric is deposited and above this, another layer denominated covering. The analysis will be developed for metallic films of the Silver, Palladium and Gold. This structure is very useful to making optical sensors.

[pt] Espectroscopia de ressonância plasmônica de superfície (SPR) é uma técnica óptica amplamente utilizada para monitorizar as alterações físicas ou químicas que ocorrem em uma interface metal - dielétrico. A medição simultânea da espessura e do índice de refração de filmes finos orgânicos, adsorvidos ou depositados sobre a superfície plana de um metal, requer duas medições independentes seguindo uma metodologia designada na literatura como método de duas cores ou método de dois meios. Na primeira, as duas medições são realizadas utilizando diferentes comprimentos de onda da radiação eletromagnética interagindo com a amostra. Na segunda, o índice de refração do meio externo (gás, líquido) é alterado entre as duas medições. Enquanto o primeiro método implica no conhecimento da função de dispersão da fase orgânica, o segundo só produz resultados precisos quando as moléculas orgânicas não interagem quimicamente com o fluido externo. Ambos os métodos apresentam dificuldades quando são aplicados à caracterização de materiais luminescentes orgânicos, os quais são na maior parte do tempo altamente reativos à umidade e ao contato com solventes orgânicos. Neste trabalho foi montado um espectrômetro de SPR automatizado. Primeiramente, ele foi testado na caracterização de amostras feitas no laboratório em termos do valor absoluto, e da homogeneidade das constantes ópticas da deposição metálica que suporta a onda de plasma. Nós demonstramos que medições precisas de constantes ópticas permitem a determinação do índice de refração de filmes finos orgânicos luminescentes, evaporados termicamente utilizando o método de substrato com dois metais. Este método, que até onde sabemos é apenas teorizado na literatura, foi aplicado a uma amostra encapsulada com um filme fino de Alq3 comercial. Além disso, a interface metal/Alq3 foi exposta a ar, e a degradação foi monitorada em tempo real, indicando uma diminuição progressiva do ângulo de ressonância da amostra. / [en] Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy (SPR) is an optical technique widely used to monitor the physical or chemical changes occurring at a metal-dielectric interface. The simultaneous measurement of the thickness and the index of refraction of organic thin films adsorbed or deposited on the metal flat surface require two independent measurements following a methodology commonly named in literature as Two-Colors Method or Two-Medium Method. In the first one, the two measurements are performed using different wavelength of the electromagnetic radiation interacting with the sample. In the second one the index of refraction of the external medium (gas, liquid) is changed between the two measurements.While the first method implies the knowledge of the dispersion function of the organic layer, the second one gives accurate results only when the organic molecules don t interact chemically with the external fluid. Both of these methods present difficulties when applied to the characterization of luminescent organic materials, most of the time highly reactive to humidity and to the contact with organic solvents. In this work an automated SPR spectrometer was assembled and first tested on the characterization of home-made samples in terms of the absolute value and homogeneity of the optical constants of the metal deposition supporting the plasma wave. We demonstrate that accurate measurements of such optical constants allow the determination of the index of refraction of thermally evaporated luminescent organic thin films using a Two-Metal Substrate Method. This method, to our knowledge only theorized up to now in literature, has been applied to an encapsulated sample containing a thin film of commercial Alq3. Further, the degradation of the metal/Alq3 interface exposed to air has been real time monitored indicating a progressive drop in the angle of resonance of the sample.

Neste trabalho são analisados os quatro modos de plasmon, ligados simétrico (Sb) e assimétrico (ab), fuga pelo núcleo (ln) e fuga pela cobertura (lc), que se propagam em uma fibra óptica fracamente guiada envolta por um filme metálico. No filme metálico é depositada uma camada dielétrica extra e acima desta, uma outra denominada cobertura. A análise será desenvolvida para filmes metálicos de prata, paládio e ouro. Esta estrutura é muito útil na confecção de sensores ópticos. / In this work the four Plasmon modes are analyzed, the symmetrical (Sb) and asymmetrical bounded (ab); the core (ln) and covering leaky modes (lc), that propagate in weakly guided optical fibers with a metallic film around that. In the metallic film a layer extra dielectric is deposited and above this, another layer denominated covering. The analysis will be developed for metallic films of the Silver, Palladium and Gold. This structure is very useful to making optical sensors.

Submitted by Renata Lopes (renatasil82@gmail.com) on 2017-10-02T19:31:50Z No. of bitstreams: 1 felipedesouzadelgado.pdf: 2621698 bytes, checksum: f2d2c40acc8fdf80a70c9f39aabc0cc9 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Adriana Oliveira (adriana.oliveira@ufjf.edu.br) on 2017-10-09T19:46:37Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 felipedesouzadelgado.pdf: 2621698 bytes, checksum: f2d2c40acc8fdf80a70c9f39aabc0cc9 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-10-09T19:46:37Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 felipedesouzadelgado.pdf: 2621698 bytes, checksum: f2d2c40acc8fdf80a70c9f39aabc0cc9 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-08-24 / CAPES - Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / Esta dissertação apresenta a produção de redes de período longo em fibras ópticas por descargas de arcos elétricos e o seu uso em aplicações de sensoriamento de corrente em veículos aéreos não tripulados. Os aspectos teóricos fundamentais para o entendimento das redes de período longo são apresentados. Além disso, discutiu-se os diferentes tipos de acoplamentos de energia que podem ocorrer em uma rede de período longo e também, os mecanismos responsáveis pela formação dessas redes produzidas por descargas de arco elétrico. A fabricação de redes de período longo utilizando a técnica de arco elétrico foi descrita e o comportamento da perda dependente da polarização das redes produzidas foi investigado. Além disso, é apresentado um novo método para a produção de redes de período longo com perda dependente da polarização reduzida. Constatou-se que por meio de alterações no ângulo de incidência das descargas elétricas na fibra óptica em relação à um ponto de referência, é possível promediar os efeitos induzidos pontualmente por cada descarga de arco elétrico e assim, reduzir a perda dependente da polarização intrínseca dessas redes. Por fim, é apresentada a aplicação de uma rede produzida por arco elétrico combinada a um ímã de neodímio, compondo um novo dispositivo de sensoriamento para medir a corrente elétrica exigida pelos motores elétricos de um veículo aéreo não tripulado. / This dissertation presents the fabrication of long-period fiber gratings through electric arc discharges and their application in current sensing in unmanned aerial vehicles. The theoretical aspects of long-period gratings are presented. Besides, we discussed the different types of coupling that could occur in a long-period fiber grating, as well as the mechanisms responsible for the formation of the gratings produced by electric arc discharges. The manufacture process of the long-period gratings using the electric arc technique was described and the behavior of the polarization dependent loss of these gratings was investigated. In addition, a new method for the production of long period gratings with reduced polarization dependent loss is introduced. It has been found that by changing the incidence angle of the electric discharges in the optical fiber in relation to a reference point, it is possible to average the effects induced by each electric arc discharge and, therefore, reducing the intrinsic polarization dependent loss of these gratings. Finally, the application of a grating produced by electric arc combined with a neodymium permanent magnet is presented. This combination allows us to measure the electric current required by a motor of an unmanned aerial vehicle.

[pt] Este trabalho apresenta um sistema de interrogação de sensores a rede de Bragg em fibras ópticas, baseado em reflectometria no domínio do tempo e filtros fixos a rede de Bragg. Utilizando uma fonte de luz pulsada, a posição espectral do sensor é relacionada à razão da intensidade dos pulsos, tornando a detecção independente de variações de intensidade. São abordados aspectos teóricos e experimentais referentes aos princípios de funcionamento desta técnica. Uma vez que a filtragem é feita com redes de Bragg, apenas um circuito de fotodetecção é utilizado e um número reduzido de acopladores/circuladores ópticos é necessário, o sistema possibilita reduzir consideravelmente o custo para a interrogação de um conjunto de sensores. A utilização de apenas um circuito de fotodetecção apresenta a vantagem de manter as mesmas características para todos os pulsos, minimizando influências externas neste circuito como, por exemplo, variações da temperatura ambiente. Foi montada uma bancada de testes para a interrogação de seis sensores. Comparações entre os resultados experimentais e simulados mostram boa concordância. Extrapolações indicam que seria possível interrogar sensores com uma variação espectral de 2 nanômetros, com incertezas menores que 10 picometros, o que é adequado para sensores de temperatura. Análises de interferência entre dois canais adjacentes mostram pouca influência entre eles e são apresentadas opções para diminuir essa interferência. / [en] This work presents a system for the interrogation of fiber- optic Bragg grating sensors based on time domain reflectometry and Bragg grating fixed filters. Using a pulsed light source, the spectral position of the sensor is related to the ratio of two pulses intensities, making detection independent of intensity variations. Theoretical and experimental aspects regarding the working principles of this technique are discussed. Since filtering is accomplished with Bragg grating so that only one photodetection circuit is used and a reduced number of optic couplers/circulators are needed, the system provides a considerable reduction in the cost of interrogation for a set of sensors. Using only one photodetection circuit also has the advantage of maintaining the same characteristics for all pulses, thus minimizing external influences in this circuit, such as variations in the environment temperature. A test stand was assembled for the interrogation of six sensors. Comparisons between experimental and simulated results show a good agreement. Extrapolations indicate that it would be possible to interrogate sensors with a spectral variation of 2 nanometers, with uncertainties lower than 10 pm, which is adequate for temperature sensors. Cross talk analyses between two adjacent channels show small influence between them, and approaches to reduce this interference are presented.

<p>The purpose of this study is to develop a flexible computer tool to predict the power produced by a photovoltaic (PV) panel. The performance of the PV panel is dependent on the incident solar radiation and the cell temperature. The computer tool predicts voltage-current curves, power-voltage curves, and maximum power point values. Five different models are implemented to predict the temperature of the panel, and comparison between the different thermal models is good. A thermal capacitance approach that uses a simple relationship for the forced convection heat transfer coefficient is used to predict the cell temperature. Both the electrical and temperature models are verified through comparisons using PVWatts and validated by comparisons to measured values. The model is flexible in the sense that it can be applied to PV arrays of any size, at any location, and of different cell types. After being verified and validated, the model is used to investigate the effects of cooling on the photovoltaic panel to improve the panel efficiency and increase its power output. Typical results show that for every degree Celsius rise in temperature, the efficiency of the solar panel is reduced by 0.5%. The effect of cooling and the resulting increase in energy production in two different climatic zones are studied and discussed. </p>

<div>In this paper various applications of axial tensile load, bending load, and rolling loading has been applied to a Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS) Solar Cell to lean how it would affect the solar cell parameters of: Open circuit voltage (Voc), Short circuit current, (Isc), Maximum power (Pmax), and Efficiency (EFF), and Fill Factor (FF). These Relationships were found for with three different experiments. The first experiment the applies axial tensile stress is to a CIGS solar cell ranging from 0 to 200 psi with various strain rates: 0.0001, 0.001, 0.01, and 0.1 in/sec as well as various relaxation time: 1min, 5min, and 10 min while the performance of solar cell is measured. The results of this gave several trends couple pertaining the Voc . The first is that open circuit voltage increases slightly with increasing stress. The second is the rate of increase (the slope) increases with longer relaxation times. The second set of trend pertains to the Isc. The first is that short circuit current generally is larger with larger stress. The second is there seems to be a general increase in the Isc up to a given threshold of stress. After that threshold the Isc seems to decrease. The threshold stress varies depending on strain rate and relaxation time. The second set of experiments consisted of holding a CIGS solar cell in a fixed curved position while it was in operational use. The radii of the curved cells were: 0.41, 0.20, 0.16, 0.13, 0.11, 0.094, and 0.082 m. The radii were performed for both concave and convex cell curvature. The trends for this show a slight decrease in all cell parameters with decreasing radii, the exception being Voc which is not effecting, the convex curvature causing a slightly faster decrease than the concave. This set of experiments were also processed to find the trends of the single diode model parameters of series resistance (Rs), shunt resistance (Rsh), dark current (I0), and saturation current (IL), which agreed with the experimental results. The second experiment consisted of rolling a CIGS solar cell in tensile (cells towards dowel.) and compression (cells away from dowel) around a dowel to create internal damage. The diameter of the dowels decreased. The dowel diameters were: 2. 1.75, 1.25, 1, 0.75, 0.5, and 0.25 inches. This experiment showed similar trends as the bending one but also had a critical diameter of 1.75 in where beyond that damage much greater. Finally a parametric study was done in COMSOL Multiphysics® to examine how changes in the CIGS material properties of electron mobility (EM), electron life time, (EL), hole mobility 15 (HM), and Hole life time (HL) effect the cell parameters. The trends are of an exponential manner that converges to a given value as the material properties increase. When EL, EM, HL are very small, on the order of 10-4 times smaller than their accepted values, a transient like responses occurs.<br></div>

Recent advances in atomically thin two-dimensional materials have led to various promising technologies such as nanoelectronics, sensing, energy storage, and optoelectronics applications. Graphene with sp2-bonded carbon atoms densely packed in a honeycomb crystal lattice has attracted tremendous interest with excellent electrical, optical, mechanical, and chemical properties. In this work, graphene’s mechanical properties, chemical properties, and piezoelectric properties are explored as graphene is implemented in the automotive electrical distribution system. Graphene is useful in friction reduction, corrosion protection, and piezoelectric energy harvesting cell improvement. Besides graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), which are the metal atoms sandwiched between two chalcogen atoms, have also attracted much attention. Unlike graphene, many TMDs are semiconductors in nature and possess enormous potential to be used as a potential channel material in ultra-scaled field-effect transistors (FETs). In this work, chemical doping strategies are explored for the tunnel FETs applications using different metal phthalocyanines and polyethyleneimines as dopants. TMDs FETs can also be used as a selective NO₂ gas sensor with a polydimethylsiloxane filter and a highly sensitive photo-interfacial gated photodetector application.