Organic semiconductors hold great promise for photovoltaics due to their ability to be processed cheaply at scale, and in lightweight and flexible modules. Such characteristics provide opportunities—such as building-integrated photovoltaics—which conventional silicon-based solar cells cannot realise. Achieving comparable efficiencies to silicon photovoltaics has remained a key challenge to the uptake of organic solar cells, but recent breakthroughs in the use of a new class of materials (non-fullerene acceptors) has shown a pathway to organic photovoltaics with remarkably high efficiency.
Reducing excess losses from the recombination of excited states (non-radiative recombination) is key to advancing this promising materials platform. In particular, recent work has shown that forming states which carry the quantum-mechanical property of spin (triplet states) can serve as a key loss pathway. Understanding triplet states in non-fullerene acceptor based materials is therefore key to advancing device performance, but their presence and behaviour can be challenging to diagnose.
In this project, available in the Quantum Optospintronics Group at the University of Glasgow, you will work to address this challenge by developing and deploying techniques which combine direct spin-selectivity (through magnetic resonance) with the benefits of optical spectroscopies (i.e., spectral, spatial, and temporal sensitivity). Through these advanced optically detected magnetic resonance spectroscopies, you will uncover the spin-dependent dynamics in non-fullerene acceptor materials with the overarching goal of using these to inform design rules for improved organic solar cells. This project will enable you to acquire a broad set of skills spanning optical spectroscopy and microscopy, electron spin resonance, microwave electronics, and organic semiconductor characterisation, and contribute new understanding of the structure and dynamics of next-generation organic optoelectronic materials.
About the group
The Quantum Optospintronics Group, led by Dr. Sam Bayliss, explores the spin and optical properties of molecular materials and devices with applications spanning quantum information processing, energy harvesting, and sensing. We have state-of-the art capabilities including for cryogenic confocal microscopy, electron/nuclear spin resonance, and single-spin detection, and as part of a dynamic group—which spans solid-state physics, quantum engineering, physical chemistry, and materials science—you will have significant opportunities to shape an exciting research agenda.
Application details & further information
We are committed to fostering and promoting an inclusive, supportive, and flexible working environment in all our activities. We particularly welcome applications from candidates from groups which have been historically under-represented in STEM subjects/research.
Applicants should ideally possess a degree or equivalent in Physics, Chemistry, Electronic Engineering, Materials Science, or a related discipline.
Further details on the application procedure and funding (available through EPSRC Doctoral Training Awards) are available at:
https://www.gla.ac.uk/schools/engineering/phdopportunities/
https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/electronicsnanoscale/
Please also see https://www.gla.ac.uk/scholarships/ for a list of additional scholarship opportunities.
To learn more: please see our Quantum Optospintronics Group webpage and get in touch with Dr. Sam Bayliss (sam.bayliss@glasgow.ac.uk) to discuss this project further. (Please get in touch as far in advance of the deadline as possible.)
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