Semiconductor Physics: Diodes and Solar Cells

This lecture delves into the intricacies of semiconductor physics, focusing on diodes and solar cells. It covers the real I-V characteristics of p-n junctions, including generation and recombination currents, breakdown voltage phenomena, and the series resistance impact. The lecture also explores specific diodes like Zener, tunneling, and avalanche diodes, highlighting their applications. Furthermore, it discusses the main features of solar cells, emphasizing their conversion efficiency and the ideal 1-V characteristics under illumination. The presentation concludes with a detailed examination of multi-spectral solar cells and the efficiency improvements in solar cell technology.