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L'efficacité du processus photovoltaïque dépend du matériau actif à travers la structure de bande et la dynamique des porteurs de charge. Dans cette thèse, nous avons relié les propriétés électroniques et la dynamique de relaxation à la structure atomique des matériaux utilisés pour deux technologies différentes de cellules solaires, celle à base d’hétérostructures de silicium, et celle à base de pérovskites hybrides organiques-inorganiques. Dans les cellules solaires de silicium, nous avons analysé l'influence des défauts sur les propriétés électroniques des hétérostructures de silicium amorphe (a-Si:H/a-SIC:H/c-Si) par spectroscopies des niveaux de coeur et de la bande de valence. En particulier, nous avons quantifié le nombre de liaisons pendantes induites dans la couche a-Si:H par irradiation, et nous avons identifié les états électroniques qui leur sont associés. Enfin nous avons expliqué les transitions précédemment observées par photoluminescence. Dans les cellules solaires à pérovskite hybride, nous avons corrélé la structure atomique, la structure électronique et la dynamique électronique pour des pérovskites bi- et tridimensionnelles. Dans ce but nous avons utilisé tout un panel de techniques complémentaires: diffraction des rayons X, spectroscopie de photoémission résolue en angle, spectroscopie de photoémission inverse et photoémission à deux photons résolue en temps. Pour la pérovskite bidimensionnelle (C₆H₅C₂H₄NH₃)₂PbI₄, nous avons déterminé expérimentalement les bandes de valence et de conduction et nous les avons comparées aux simulations de la fonction spectrale. Pour la pérovskite tridimensionnelle CH₃NH₃PbI₃, nous avons aussi déterminé les structures de bande expérimentale et simulée. Des signatures spectrales très larges ont été observées expérimentalement, ce qui relaxe les conditions de transition optique avec un impact éventuel sur l'efficacité des cellules solaires. Tant dans les expériences que dans les calculs, nous observons que le poids spectral suit une périodicité cubique alors que le système est structurellement dans une phase tétragonale. Cette contradiction apparente s'explique par la largeur spectrale des bandes, qui cache le repliement dû à la distorsion tétragonale. En ce qui concerne la dynamique de relaxation, nous avons observé que les porteurs photoexcités se thermalisent dans une échelle de temps subpicoseconde par couplage aux vibrations des cations organiques. À des échelles de temps plus longues (10~100 picosecondes), la diffusion électronique contrôle la dynamique. Cette dynamique est affectée par les défauts induits par recuit, qui localisent les électrons photoexcités pendant plus de 300 picosecondes. / The efficiency of the photovoltaic process depends on the electronic band structure of the active material and the charge carrier dynamics. In this thesis, we have studied how these issues are related to the atomic structure in materials for two different technologies of solar cells, namely silicon heterostructure solar cells, and hybrid organic-inorganic perovskite solar cells. In silicon heterostructure solar cells, we have analyzed the impact of defects on the electronic properties of amorphous silicon heterostructures (a-Si:H/a-SIC:H/c-Si) by core level and valence band spectroscopies. In particular, we have quantified the number of dangling bonds inside a-Si:H layer upon irradiation, we have identified the electronic states associated to them, and we have understood the transitions previously observed by photoluminescence. In perovskite solar cells, we have correlated the atomic structure, the electronic structure and the electronic dynamics for two- and three-dimensional hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites. We have used with this goal a whole panel of complementary techniques: X-ray diffraction, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, inverse photoemission spectroscopy, and time-resolved two-photon photoemission. In the two-dimensional perovskite (C₆H₅C₂H₄NH₃)₂PbI₄, the valence and conduction bands have been determined experimentally and compared to spectral function simulations. In the three-dimensional perovskite CH₃NH₃PbI₃, we have again determined the band structure and simulated it. Very broad spectral features have been experimentally observed, which relax the optical transition conditions impacting in the solarcell efficiencies. In both experiments and calculations, we observe that the spectral weight follows a cubic periodicity while the system is structurally in the tetragonal phase. This apparent contradiction is explained by the band broadness, which hides the band folding of the tetragonal distortion. As for the relaxation dynamics, we have observed that the photoexcited carriers thermalize in a subpicosecond time scale through the coupling to organic cation vibrations. At longer timescales (10~100 picoseconds), the electron diffusion controls the dynamics. This dynamics is affected by the annealing-induced defects, which localize the photoexcited electrons for more than 300 picoseconds.

This thesis describes the development of several spectroscopic methods based on impulsive vibrational spectroscopy as well as of the technique itself. The first chapter describes the ultrafast time domain Raman spectrometer including the development of two noncollinear optical parametric amplifiers for sub-10 fs pulse generation with 343 or 515 nm pumping. In the first spectroscopic study we demonstrate, for the first time, that impulsive vibrational spectroscopy can be used for recording transient Raman spectra of molecules in excited electronic states. We obtain spectra of beta-carotene with comparable, or better, quality than established frequency domain based nonlinear Raman techniques. The following two chapters address the questions on the fate of vibrational coherences when generated on a reactive potential energy surface. We photoexcite bacteriorhodopsin and observe anharmonic coupling mediated vibrational coherence transfer to initially silent vibrational modes. Additionally, we are able to correlate the vibrational coherence activation with the efficiency of the isomerisation reaction in bR. Upon generation of vibrational coherence in the second excited electronic state of beta-carotene, by excitation from the ground electronic state, we are able to follow the wavepacket motion out of the Franck-Condon region. We observe vibrationally coherent internal conversion, through a conical intersection, into the first excited electronic state and are hence able to demonstrate that electronic surface crossings can occur in a vibrationally coherent fashion. Additionally, we find strong evidence for vibronic coupling mediated back and forth crossing between the two electronic states. As a combination of this work we develop a IVS based technique that allows for the direct recording of background and baseline free Raman spectra in the time domain. Several proof of principle experiments highlight the capabilities of this technique for time resolved Raman spectroscopy. In the final chapter we present work on weak-field coherent control. Here, we address the question of whether a photochemical reaction can be controlled by the phase term of an electric excitation field, in the one photon excitation limit. We study the systems rhodamine 101, bacteriorhodopsin, rhodopsin and isorhodopsin and, contrary to previous reports, find no evidence for one photon control.

This thesis describes the combination of two sources of cold atomic or molecular species which can be used to study a wide range of ion-molecule reactions. The challenges in forming these species and in determining the fate of reactive events are explored throughout. Reactions occur in a volume within a radio-frequency ion trap, in which ions have previously been cooled to sub-Kelvin temperatures. Ions are laser-cooled, with migration of ions slowed sufficiently to form a quasi-crystalline spheroidal structure, deemed a Coulomb crystal. Fluorescence emitted as a consequence of laser-cooling is detected; the subsequent fluorescence profiles are used to determine the number of ions in the crystal and, in combination with complementary simulations, the temperature of these ions. Motion imparted by trapping fields can be substantial and simulations are required to accurately determine collision energies. A beam of decelerated molecules is aimed at this stationary ion target. An ammonia seeded molecular beam enters a Stark decelerator, based on the original design of Meijer and co-workers. The decelerator uses time-varying electric fields to remove kinetic energy from the molecules, which exit at speeds down to 35 m/s. A fast-opening shutter and focussing elements are subsequently used to maximise the decelerated flux in the reaction volume while minimising undecelerated molecule transmission. Substantial fluxes of decelerated ammonia are obtained with narrow velocity distributions to provide a suitable source of reactant molecules. Combination of these two techniques permits studies of reactions between atomic ions and decelerated molecules that can be entirely state-specific. Changes in the Coulomb crystal fluorescence profile denote changes in the ion identities, the rate of these changes can be used to obtain rate constants. Determination of rate constants is even possible despite the fact that neither reactant nor product ions are directly observed. This work has studied reactions between sympathetically cooled Xe⁺ ions and guided ND3 and has obtained data consistent with prior studies. Determination of reactive events is complicated if ion identities can change without affecting the fluorescence profile, or if multiple reaction channels are possible. A range of spectroscopic techniques are discussed and considered in regards to determining rate constants and product identities. Pulsed axial excitation of trapped ions can follow rapid changes in average ion weights and subtle changes for small crystals. Time-of-flight mass spectrometry is also demonstrated using the trapping electrodes and is suitable for discrimination of ions formed within the trap.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:42:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 MayaraPDFC_DISSERT.pdf: 2965143 bytes, checksum: 5e0ca99fac2d51d77bee3a3e653f6b84 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-07-25 / Coordena??o de Aperfei?oamento de Pessoal de N?vel Superior / The field of education is very rich and allows us to research in various aspects. The area of chemical education has been growing more and more, and an important aspect that has been researching this area is about the learning difficulties of students. The approach of the themes atomic structure and chemical bonds are developed in high school and have many problems that are often brought to higher education becoming an obstacle to the advancement of learning. It is necessary for these initial themes - the atomic structure and chemical bonds - are well understood by the student to the other contents of Chemistry will be understood more easily. This paper aims to describe, analyze errors and difficulties presented in the assessments of the discipline Atomic and Molecular Architecture, the students of the degree course in Chemistry - EAD, with respect to the contents of " Atomic Structure and Chemical Bonding ", by of the assessments made by the students and the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), taking into account the activities , discussion forum and access to materials . AVA allows obtaining reports which were used to analyze regarding access / participation to assess their contribution to learning and its relation to the final result (pass / fail). It was observed that the most frequent errors in the assessments are related to the early part of the chemistry that is the understanding of atomic structure and evolution models. Students who accessed the extra material and participated in the activities and forums were students who achieved success in the course. Ie, the difficulties were emerging and the use of available teaching strategies, students could minimize such difficulties, making their performance in activities and assessments were better. Was also observed by attending the AVA, the discipline began with a large withdrawal from the page access as well as the frequency of face- evidence from observation in Listing presence of classroom assessments / O campo da educa??o ? muito rico e nos possibilita a investiga??o em v?rios aspectos. A ?rea de ensino de qu?mica vem crescendo cada vez mais, e um aspecto importante que essa ?rea vem pesquisando ? sobre as dificuldades de aprendizagem dos alunos. A abordagem dos temas estrutura at?mica e liga??es qu?micas s?o desenvolvidos no Ensino M?dio e apresentam muitos problemas que, muitas vezes, s?o trazidos para o ensino superior se tornando um obst?culo para o avan?o do aprendizado. ? necess?rio que esses temas iniciais a estrutura at?mica e as liga??es qu?micas sejam bem compreendidos pelo aluno para que os demais conte?dos de Qu?mica sejam entendidos com mais facilidade. Neste trabalho tem-se como objetivo geral, analisar os erros e as dificuldades apresentados nas avalia??es da disciplina Arquitetura At?mica e Molecular, dos alunos do curso de gradua??o em Qu?mica EAD, com rela??o ao conte?do de Estrutura At?mica e Liga??o Qu?mica , atrav?s das avalia??es realizadas pelos alunos e o Ambiente Virtual de Aprendizagem (AVA), levando em considera??o as atividades realizadas, discuss?o no f?rum e acesso aos materiais. O AVA permite a obten??o de relat?rios os quais foram utilizados para analisar quanto ao acesso/participa??o para avaliar sua contribui??o na aprendizagem e sua rela??o com o resultado final (aprovado/reprovado). Foi poss?vel observar que os erros mais frequentes nas avalia??es est?o relacionados ? parte inicial da qu?mica que ? a compreens?o da estrutura at?mica e a evolu??o dos modelos. Os alunos que acessaram o material extra e participaram das atividades e f?runs, foram os alunos que obtiveram aprova??o na disciplina. Ou seja, as dificuldades iam surgindo e ao utilizar as estrat?gias de ensino disponibilizadas, os alunos conseguiam minimizar tais dificuldades, fazendo com que o seu desempenho nas atividades e avalia??es fossem melhor. Tamb?m foi observado, atrav?s da frequ?ncia ao AVA, que a disciplina come?ou com uma grande desist?ncia desde o acesso ? p?gina como tamb?m ? frequ?ncia nas provas presenciais a partir da observa??o na listagem de presen?a das avalia??es presenciais

This thesis presents work examining the characteristics and applicability of quantum cascade lasers. An introduction is given explaining both the desire for a widely tunable, narrow bandwidth device working in the midinfrared, as well as detailing the ways in which quantum cascade lasers (QCLs) fulfill these requirements. The development and manufacture of QCLs are then discussed. The experimental section of this thesis is then split into three parts. Chapter 2 concerns the characterisation and application of several pulsed QCLs. The intrapulse mode of operation is employed and the effect of the resulting rapid frequency chirp upon molecular spectra is investigated in the form of rapid passage signals. The evolution of said rapid passage signals is then investigated as a function of chromophore pressure and identity, with different QCLs, chirp rates, and optical path lengths. The prospect of producing population transfer with chirped lasers is discussed. Chapters 3, 4, and 5 are then concerned with the application and characterisation of continuous wave QCLs. In these chapters a widely tunable commercially produced EC-QCL is utilised as well as two DFB QCLs, one of which is used in tandem with a home-made mount and temperature controller. In Chapter 3 a number of sensitive detection techniques are compared with the employment of wavelength modulation spectroscopy, long path cells and optical cavities, and the narrow bandwidth of QCLs utilised to determine a previously unknown spectral constant of DBr. Chapters 4 and 5 then utilise the high power of an external cavity quantum cascade laser in sub-Doppler Lamb-dip and polarisation spectroscopy measurements and then a pump-probe experiment. The laser linewidth is investigated on a millisecond timescale returning a current noise limited value of c.a. 2 MHz and the fundamental linewidth of the device investigated by altering the injection current. Chapter 5 is concerned with the pump-probe experiment, directly measuring the hot band absorption in a ladder like transition (R(6.5)$_\frac{1}{2}$ $v=1\leftarrow0$ and P(7.5)$_\frac{1}{2}$ $v=1\leftarrow0$). The Bennett peak in the hot band is observed with a DFB-QCL swept at $\sim 0.15$ MHz ns$^{-1}$ and is seen not just as a pump bandwidth limited lineshape, but as a highly velocity selected rapid passage signal. The effect of pressure, pump and probe scan rate and power upon this rapid passage signal is also studied. It is further noted that rapid thermalisation occurs within $v=1$ such that at pressures above c.a. 30 mTorr a broad NO doublet absorption is observed beneath the Bennett peak from which a total population transfer of c.a. $16 \%$ can be estimated. Finally an experiment is discussed in which this population transfer could be increased for use in secondary applications. Chapter 6 then presents initial measurements with two prototype pulsed 3.3 \si{\micro\metre} QCLs considering the prospects of such devices. A Fabry-P\'rot device is first studied using a Fourier transform spectrometer and temperature tuning used to produce a spectrum of the Q-branch of CH$_4$ around 3025 cm$^$. Experiments are then performed using a DFB QCL investigating the chirp rate of the system as an indicator of the rate of heat accumulation within the system. Heat management is of particular consideration when the sea-change is made from pulsed to continuous devices. For this device absorption spectra of two CH$_4$ transitions at 2971 cm$^$ are used to determine the chirp rate, which is found to be c.a. 1.8 GHz ns$^$, at least an order of magnitude higher than that of the longer wavelength pulsed devices considered in Chapter 2.

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