Recent content by matthias31415

Thanks, Cthugha, this clarifies a lot! From your answer, I understand that ("in very simplified language"), going through the circuit is a way for the electron to get from the conduction band back to the valence band. Is it then correct to say that at the end of the circuit, i.e. at the...

I have read this also, but either: (1) the energy of the photon is above the gap and the excess energy is (at least in part) converted into electrical energy or (2) The energy to move the electron from the valence band to the conduction band is larger than the energy that is released when, in...

Yes, this looks like what I tried to say, except that I feel a bit unsure about some details (e.g. with respect to ##E_{rec}=h\nu##, does that imply that the energy from recombination is released in the form of a photon?). While being relieved that someone finally understands me, at the same...

@Lord Jestocost: thanks for your thumbs up! I was wondering if it refers to the first or the second paragraph?

I don't know if I completely get the message... First, I thought: well, obviously, the energy of the photon needs to be above the bandgap, because if it were below the gap, it wouldn't lift any electrons from the valence band to the conduction band. Or is the message: the energy needs to be...

I am aware that these "explanations" are oversimplifications. My idea was that they are still of some use when modified. With respect to electrons being removed from an atom: probably wrong, but not very far off from the notion that an excited electron leaves behind a positively charged "hole"...

Well, solid state physics (obviously) is not my primary field of expertise, in that sense "advanced level" would be inappropriate. However, I tried to resolve my questions with collegues who have a deeper understanding of solid state physics and they were not able to specifically address my...

The "common explanation" I am refering to goes like this: 1) the energy of the photon is used to free electrons from the covalent bonds 2) the electric field across the p-n-junction causes free electrons to go in circles (inside the cell: from the p- to the n-layer; outside the cell: from the n-...

I guess it depends on the type of voltmeter (i.e. if that voltmeter depends on the flow of a small current). What if I connect an oscilloscope across the p-n junction? I'd guess it does show 0,7V, and it will show that the n-layer is the positive pole as compared to the p-layer. Right? Next, we...

I thought that I had included such an explanation in my original post. The analogy was a merry-go-round with negatively charged horses (corresponding to the electrons in the conduction band) and a stationary positive charge next to it (corresponding to the positive charge of the n-layer). This...

Well, of course not. "perpetuum mobiles" do not exist while PV cells do work perfectly. However, my impression is that the common explanations of a PV cell must miss something crucial, because they do sound like the description of a perpetuum mobile. Is this not clear from my original post...

Yes, by "positive charge" I meant the charge of the depletion region on the n-side of the junction. Let me summarize your answer: The electric field across the junction [with the positive pole at the n-side and the negative pole at the p-side] pushes the electron towards the positive pole...

The summary says it all: the common explanations of the PV effect could easily describe a perpetuum mobile. Just as if a merry-go-round with negatively charged horses could be set in motion by having a stationary positive charge. Somehow, the energy of the photon must be used in order to create...

Thanks for all you explanations! Now... jtbell, I've heard over and over that Higgs would be the very particle "borrowing" mass to others. I think what you said is related to atyy's comment, that mass in particle physics is not the same as gravitational mass. atyy, is this true? I am...

Hi everybody, let's assume the Higg's boson exists. If I understand String theory correctly (and I understand very little of it), then Higg's particle - just as any other particle - can be expressed as a particular vibration state of a string. If I understand Higg's theory correctly, then...