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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 | German |
| 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 3.12 |
| 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 will be accompanied by exercises. 10 exercise sheets will be solved and discussed, 50% of the points are necessary as well a successful final written exam. |
| 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 |