Absorption, generation and recombination

This lecture covers the fundamental optical properties of solar cells, including absorption, reflection, and transmission. It delves into the concepts of absorption coefficient, refractive index, and extinction coefficient, emphasizing the importance of direct and indirect band gaps in semiconductors. The instructor explains the impact of antireflection coatings and surface texturing on reducing reflection and enhancing light absorption. Additionally, the lecture explores the generation profile of electron-hole pairs, discussing the generation rate and spectral generation rate in the context of solar spectrum and material properties.