Data-driven compact photocurrent models: A system identification approach for non-intrusive reduced order modeling of dose-rate induced photocurrents.
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Bochev, Pavel B.↗
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Photocurrent Spectroscopy of Dark Magnetic Excitons in 2D Multiferroic NiI 2
Abstract Two‐dimensional (2D) antiferromagnetic (AFM) semiconductors are promising components of opto‐spintronic devices due to terahertz operation frequencies and minimal interactions with stray fields. However, the lack of net magnetization significantly limits the number of experimental techniques available to study the relationship between magnetic order and semiconducting properties. Here, they demonstrate conditions under which photocurrent spectroscopy can be employed to study many‐body magnetic excitons in the 2D AFM semiconductor NiI 2 . The use of photocurrent spectroscopy enables the detection of optically dark magnetic excitons down to bilayer thickness, revealing a high degree of linear polarization that is coupled to the underlying helical AFM order of NiI 2 . In addition to probing the coupling between magnetic order and dark excitons, this work provides strong evidence for the multiferroicity of NiI 2 down to bilayer thickness, thus demonstrating the utility of photocurrent spectroscopy for revealing subtle opto‐spintronic phenomena in the atomically thin limit.
Lebedev, Dmitry↗
WO 3 /CuWO 4 Ratio Controls Open-Circuit Photovoltage and Photocurrent in Type II Heterojunction Solar Fuel Photoelectrodes
WO 3 /CuWO 4 photoelectrodes for the oxygen evolution reaction benefit from a type II heterojunction for charge separation. However, the impact of the WO 3 /CuWO 4 ratio on the photocurrent and the photovoltage is not clear. To probe the effect of composition, Cu x W 1-x O y thin films with variable W:Cu ratio were prepared on FTO by reactive magnetron co-sputtering of W and Cu, followed by air annealing at 500ºC. EDS, XRD, Rietveld refinement, and Raman spectroscopy confirm the presence of crystalline WO 3 and CuWO 4 in the W rich films and increasing amounts of amorphous copper oxides in the Cu rich films. Bandgaps were determined by optical absorption spectroscopy, surface photovoltage spectroscopy (SPS), and photoaction spectra and are found to decrease from 2.7 eV to 1.2 eV with increasing copper oxide content. SPS reveals n-type semiconductor photoanode behavior for WO 3 /CuWO 4 samples and p-type photocathode behavior for CuO x rich films. Photoelectrochemical experiments confirm stable water oxidation with Faraday efficiency near unity for all W rich films and photocurrents that are increasing with CuWO 4 content. Optimal performance is seen for WO 3 /CuWO 4 mixed phases containing 47-75 mass% CuWO 4 . These compositions maximize charge separation at the type II heterojunction interface between the two materials. Additionally, according to incident photon to current efficiency (IPCE) data, the WO 3 improves photon conversion below 350 nm, while CuWO 4 improves conversion at 450-525 nm. Overall, this work shows for the first time how the WO 3 /CuWO 4 ratio controls the photovoltage and the photocurrent in type II heterojunction solar fuel photoelectrodes, and how copper oxides in the copper rich films severely degrade the performance. Furthermore, these results are useful in the context of bulk-heterojunction electrodes for the conversion of solar energy into fuels.
CuWO4↗
Purcell enhancement of directional edge photocurrent in a van der Waals self-cavity
Cavities provide a means to manipulate the optical and electronic responses of quantum materials by selectively enhancing light-matter interaction at specific frequencies and momenta. While cavities typically involve external structures, exfoliated flakes of van der Waals (vdW) materials can form intrinsic self-cavities due to their small finite dimensions, confining electromagnetic fields into plasmonic cavity modes, characterized by standing-wave current distributions. While cavity-enhanced phenomena are well-studied at optical frequencies, the impact of self-cavities on nonlinear electronic responses—such as directional photocurrent—remains largely unexplored, particularly in the terahertz regime, critical for emerging ultrafast optoelectronic technologies. Here, we report a self-cavity-induced Purcell enhancement of directional photocurrents in the vdW semimetal WTe 2 . Using ultrafast optoelectronic circuitry, we measured coherent near-field THz emission resulting from nonlinear photocurrents excited at the sample edges. We observed enhanced emission at finite frequencies, tunable via excitation fluence and sample geometry, which we attribute to plasmonic interference effects controlled by the cavity boundaries. We developed an analytical theory that captures the cavity resonance conditions and spectral response across multiple devices. Our findings establish WTe 2 as a bias-free, geometry-tunable THz emitter and demonstrate the potential of self-cavity engineering for controlling nonlinear, nonequilibrium dynamics in quantum materials.
condensed-matter physics↗
A system identification approach for non-intrusive reduced order modeling of radiation-induced photocurrents
In this study, development of compact photocurrent models is currently dominated by analytical techniques that rely on physical assumptions to render the governing equations solvable in a closed form. Violation of these assumptions can reduce the accuracy of the models and/or limit their scope. In this paper we show that system identification of nonlinear state-space systems can serve as an alternative numerical basis for non-intrusive reduced order modeling of photocurrent effects. To that end we develop a compact gray box photocurrent model (GBPM) by using a state-space representation with a low-dimensional latent state equation that mimics a mathematical model for the response of an idealized class of devices to ionizing radiation. In so doing we obtain a model that learns the dynamics of a quantity of interest directly from its measurements without requiring snapshots of the internal device state or its discretized model, and can be inferred from very small data sets. To demonstrate the approach we train the GBPM using a small experimental data set for a Z5236 Zener diode and a small synthetic data set obtained by simulating a synthetic pn-junction device. We then compare the GBPMs with black box models trained on the same data and show that performance of the latter is limited by the size of the data set, while the former are able to achieve excellent performance in both the reproductive and the predictive regimes.
97 MATHEMATICS AND COMPUTING↗
Effects of excitation intensity on the photocurrent response of thin film silicon solar modules
Photocurrent responses of amorphous thin film silicon solar modules at room temperature were studied at different excitation intensities using various monochromatic light sources. Photocurrent imaging techniques have been effectively used to locate rapidly, and non-destructively, failure and defect sites in the multilayer thin film device. Differences observed in the photocurrent response characteristics for two different cells in the same amorphous thin film silicon solar module suggest the possibility of the formation of dissimilarly active devices, even though the module is processed in the same fabrication process. Possible mechanisms are discussed.
Kim, Q.↗
Simultaneous holographic and photocurrent studies of the photorefractive effect in LiTaO3 and LiNbO3
In reduced LiNbO3:Mn both the photorefractive sensitivity and the simultaneously measured photocurrent result from drift with a polarization-dependent effective 'internal field' of about 6 kV/cm. In reduced undoped LiTaO3 the observed difference in applied fields of the minimum photorefractive sensitivity and zero photocurrent imply charge transport is by a mechanism that cannot be completely described by diffusion and drift in an electric field. The direct measurement of the harmonic content of phase gratings written in several LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 crystals shows termination of charge-transport results from the space-charge field of the hologram.
Spinhirne, J. M.↗
Photocurrent Imaging Detects Solar-Module Defects
Raster-scanned laser beam excites photocurrents in thin-film amorphous silicon devices. Solar-cell laser scanner uses two galvanometer-driven mirrors to scan laser-beam spot over surface of module or cell under test. Position signals from scan controllers used to index storage of photocurrent signal data in scan-converter image memory. Stored image displayed on television monitor.
Kim, Q.↗
Intersubband infrared absorption in Ge(x)Si(1-x)/Si superlattice by photocurrent measurement
The intersubband IR absorption of holes in a Ge(x)Si(1-x)/Si superlattice is observed for the first time. In the experiment, the photocurrent is measured as a function of applied bias which is used to inject holes to the minibands of the superlattice. Two peaks in the photocurrent as a function of bias across the device are observed due to intersubband absorption between the ground to the first and the first of the second light hole minibands. The polarization dependence measurement is used to study the nature of the transitions and is in good agreement with the selection rules.
Karunasiri, R. P. G.↗
Sub-Poissonian light and photocurrent shot-noise suppression in closed opto-electronic loop
We examine experimentally photocurrent noise reduction in the opto-electronic closed loop. Photocurrent noise density 12.5 dB below the shot-noise was observed. So large suppression was not reached in previous experiments and cannot be explained in terms of an ordinary sub-Poissonian light in the loop. We propose the concept of anticorrelation state for the description of light in the loop.
Masalov, A. V.↗
Investigation of Photoluminescence and Photocurrent in InGaAsP/InP Strained Multiple Quantum Well Heterostructures
Multiple quantum well InGaAsP/InP p-i-n laser heterostructures with different barrier thicknesses have been investigated using photoluminescence (PL) and photocurrent (PC) measurements. The observed PL spectrum and peak positions are in good agreement with those obtained from transfer matrix calculations. Comparing the measured quantum well PC with calculated carrier escape rates, the photocurrent changes are found to be governed by the temperature dependence of the electron escape time.
Raisky, O. Y.↗
Dynamics of ballistic photocurrents driven by Coulomb scattering in a two-dimensional material
First-principles real-time time-dependent density-functional theory (rt-TDDFT) calculations reveal the existence of ballistic photocurrents generated by Coulomb scattering, which has not previously been considered as a mechanism for the bulk photovoltaic effect. With monolayer GeS as an example, it is predicted that ballistic currents can be comparable to shift currents under experimentally accessible conditions.
2-dimensional systems↗
Continuous Flow Photoelectrochemical Reactor with Gas Permeable Photocathode: Enhanced Photocurrent and Partial Current Density for CO 2 Reduction
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) CO 2 reduction using a photocathode is an attractive method for making valuable chemical products due to its simplicity and lower overpotential requirements. However, previous PEC processes have often been diffusion-limited leading to low production rates of the CO 2 reduction reaction, due to inefficient gas diffusion through the liquid electrolyte to the catalyst surface, particularly at high current densities. In this study, a gas-permeable photocathode in a continuous flow PEC reactor is incorporated, which facilitates the direct supply of CO 2 gas to the photocathode-electrolyte interface, unlike dark reaction-based flow reactors. This concept is demonstrated using Ag-TiO 2 on carbon paper, illuminated through a quartz window and flowing liquid electrolyte. CO 2 supply is managed via pressure and flow control on the non-illuminated side of the carbon paper. The photocurrent density is significantly influenced by the flow rates and pressure of CO 2 gas, and the electrolyte flow rates. Compared to the traditional H-cell, the continuous PEC flow reactor achieves ≈10-fold increase in CO faradaic efficiency, 30-fold increase in production rate and 16-fold increase in stability without catalyst modifications. This work provides essential insights into the design and application of continuous gas-liquid flow PEC reactor systems, highlighting their potential for other PEC reactions.
37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
Photocurrent Nanoscopy of Quantum Hall Bulk
Understanding nanoscale electronic and thermal transport of two-dimensional (2D) electron systems in the quantum Hall regime, particularly in the bulk insulating state, poses considerable challenges. One of the primary difficulties arises from the presence of chiral edge channels, whose transport behavior obscures the investigation of the insulating bulk. Using near-field optical and photocurrent nanoscopy, we probe real-space variations of the optical and thermal dynamics of graphene in the quantum Hall regime without relying on complex sample or electrode geometries. Near the charge-neutrality point, we detect strong optical and photothermal signals from resonant inter-Landau-level (LL) magnetoexciton excitations between the zeroth and ± 1 st LLs, which gradually weaken with increasing doping due to Pauli blocking. Interestingly, at higher doping levels and full-integer LL fillings, photothermal signals reappear across the entire sample over an approximately 10 − μ m scale, indicating unexpectedly long cooling lengths and nonlocal photothermal heating through the insulating bulk. This observation suggests that thermal conductivity persists for the localized states even as electronic transport is suppressed—a clear violation of the Wiedemann-Franz law. Our experiments provide novel insights into nanoscale thermal and electronic transport in incompressible 2D gases, highlighting the roles of magnetoexcitons and chiral edge states in the thermo-optoelectric dynamics of the Dirac quantum Hall state. Published by the American Physical Society 2025
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
Photocurrents at a metal-electrolyte interface.
Photocurrents at metal electrolyte interface coulostatic measurement with dropping mercury electrode /DME/ for sodium fluoride with nitrous oxide
Delahay, P.↗
A theoretical analysis of steady-state photocurrents in simple silicon diodes
A theoretical analysis solves for the steady-state photocurrents produced by a given photo-generation rate function with negligible recombination in simple silicon diodes, consisting of a uniformly doped quasi-neutral region (called 'substrate' below) adjacent to a p-n junction depletion region (DR). Special attention is given to conditions that produce 'funneling' (a term used by the single-eventeffects community) under steady-state conditions. Funneling occurs when carriers are generated so fast that the DR becomes flooded and partially or completely collapses. Some or nearly all of the applied voltage, plus built-in potential normally across the DR, is now across the substrate. This substrate voltage drop affects substrate currents. The steady-state problem can provide some qualitative insights into the more difficult transient problem. First, it was found that funneling can be induced from a distance, i.e., from carriers generated at locations outside of the DR. Secondly, it was found that the substrate can divide into two subregions, with one controlling substrate resistance and the other characterized by ambipolar diffusion. Finally, funneling was found to be more difficult to induce in the p(sup +)/n diode than in the n(sup +)/p diode. The carrier density exceeding the doping density in the substrate and at the DR boundary is not a sufficient condition to collapse a DR.
Edmonds, L.↗
A theoretical analysis of steady-state photocurrents in simple silicon diodes.
A theoretical analysis solves for the steady-state photocurrents produced by a given photogeneration rate function with negligible recombination in simple silicon diodes, consisting of a uniformly doped quasi-neutral region (called "substrate" below) between a p-n junction depletion region (DR) and an ohmic contact (electrode). Special attention is given to conditions that produce "funneling" (a term used by the single-event-effects community) under steady-state conditions. Funneling occurs when carriers are generated so fast that the DR becomes flooded and partially or completely collapses. Some or nearly all of the applied voltage plus built-in potential normally across the DR is now across the substrate. This substrate voltage drop affects substrate currents. The steady-state problem can provide some qualitative insights into the more difficult transient problem. Chapter 6 discusses some similarities between the steady-state and transient problems...
Edmonds, Larry↗
A Theoretical Analysis of Steady-State Photocurrents in Simple Silicon Diodes
Funneling under steady-state conditions is investigated, because this problem is simple enough to be treated rigorously and provides some qualitative insights into the more difficult transient problem.
silicon↗