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23467-01 - Lecture with practical courses: Photovoltaics (4 CP)
| Semester | fall semester 2026 |
| Course frequency | Irregular |
| Lecturers |
Thilo Glatzel (thilo.glatzel@unibas.ch)
Ernst Meyer (ernst.meyer@unibas.ch, Assessor) |
| Content | Fundamental principles of the power conversion by solar cells will be introduced and discussed based on fundamental physical principles. A requirement for the lecture is a solid knowledge in solid state physics and if possible also in basic semiconductor physics. The lecture consist of two major parts, a theoretical section explaining fundamental principles of semiconductor solar cells and a second one focusing of the most important solar cell concepts and typically contains an excursion to a solar cell company. The lecture is structured as follows: 1 Introduction 2 Basic Principles of Photovoltaics 3 Electrons and Holes in Semiconductors 4 Absorption Recombination and Generation 5 The Ideal Semi-Infinite pn-junction 6 Illuminated pn-junction 7 c-Si Solar Cells 8 Basics of Thin Film Solar Cells 9 Thin Film Solar Cells 10 Concepts of Nanostructured Solar Cells 11 Dye Sensitized and Perovskite Solar Cells |
| Learning objectives | Introduction to the physical principles of solar cells |
| Bibliography | The Physics of Solar Cells, Jenny Nelson, Imperial College Press Physik der Solarzelle, Peter Würfel, Spektrum Akademischer Verlag Sonnenenergie: Photovoltaik, A. Götzberger, Teubner Studienbücher |
| Comments | A solid knowledge in solid state physics and if possible also in basic semiconductor physics is beneficial. |
| Admission requirements | Bachelor or Master students in natural science (Physics, Chemistry or Nanoscience) |
| Language of instruction | English |
| Use of digital media | No specific media used |
| Course auditors welcome |
| Interval | Weekday | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|---|
| wöchentlich | Tuesday | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| wöchentlich | Wednesday | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
Dates
| Date | Time | Room |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday 15.09.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Wednesday 16.09.2026 | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Tuesday 22.09.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Wednesday 23.09.2026 | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Tuesday 29.09.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Wednesday 30.09.2026 | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Tuesday 06.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Wednesday 07.10.2026 | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 4.1 |
| Tuesday 13.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Wednesday 14.10.2026 | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Tuesday 20.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Wednesday 21.10.2026 | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Tuesday 27.10.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Wednesday 28.10.2026 | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Tuesday 03.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Wednesday 04.11.2026 | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Tuesday 10.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Wednesday 11.11.2026 | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Tuesday 17.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Wednesday 18.11.2026 | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Tuesday 24.11.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Wednesday 25.11.2026 | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Tuesday 01.12.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Wednesday 02.12.2026 | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Tuesday 08.12.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Wednesday 09.12.2026 | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Tuesday 15.12.2026 | 10.15-12.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Wednesday 16.12.2026 | 12.00-14.00 | Physik, Seminarzimmer 3.12 |
| Modules |
Module Specialisation: Physics (Master's Studies: Nanosciences) Module: Specialisation (Master's Studies: Physics (Start of studies before 01.08.2026)) Module: Specialized Courses (Master's Studies: Physics) |
| Assessment format | continuous assessment |
| Assessment details | The lecture is accompanied by tutorials. To obtain the credit points, students are required to (1) participate regularly in the lecture and the tutorials, (2) present one extended exercise in the tutorials, and (3) pass the final written examination, which is based on the exercises. |
| Assessment registration/deregistration | Reg.: course registration, dereg: cancel course registration |
| Repeat examination | no repeat examination |
| Scale | 1-6 0,5 |
| Repeated registration | as often as necessary |
| Responsible faculty | Faculty of Science, studiendekanat-philnat@unibas.ch |
| Offered by | Departement Physik |