New Position at the SUNLAB: Photonic Power Converters - Study of Luminescent Coupling
The SUNLAB at the University of Ottawa is announcing one position for a new graduate student.
The SUNLAB
The SUNLAB, Canada’s premier solar cell characterization research facility focusing on high performance devices and specializing in solar energy, optoelectronics, and photonics, was founded by Karin Hinzer in 2007. Housed at the Nexus for Quantum Technologies Institute at the University of Ottawa, it brings together physicists, engineers, chemists, and materials scientists in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment.
Research Project
Photonic power converters (PPCs) are photovoltaic devices that generate electric power from laser light in power-by-light systems. State of the art PPCs contain multiple absorbing semiconductor pn junctions that are vertically stacked and connected in series, allowing the output voltage of the device to be scaled for a target application. Under high intensity laser irradiation, light is radiated from overproducing junctions and reabsorbed in limiting junctions in a process known as luminescent coupling. The selected candidate will study the luminescent coupling process in multi-junction PPCs using experimental and numerical techniques.
The candidate will perform experimental measurements under high-powered laser illumination to characterize luminescent coupling between the junctions. Concurrently, they will develop a surrogate model to predict the luminescent coupling behaviour using artificial intelligence (AI) methodologies. The surrogate model will build upon existing models developed within the SUNLAB research group. These models include transfer matrix methods developed in Python and drift-diffusion models performed in Synopsys Sentaurus TCAD. Following development and validation of the surrogate AI model against experimental data, they will use the model to generate an optimized multi-junction PPC design for 1550 nm operation in free-space power beaming systems with 3-5 V output voltages and high-power conversion efficiencies.
The work will be undertaken in the SUNLAB photovoltaic characterization facility, located in the Advanced Research Complex at the University of Ottawa. The candidate will have access to high-powered computing machines. The selected candidate will gain hands-on experience in optoelectronic device design, simulation, and characterization. The research will constitute part of the candidate’s research thesis.
Eligibility
To be considered for this position, the candidate must successfully apply for admission to the program of MASc or PhD in electrical engineering or physics at the University of Ottawa.
How to Apply
Send your CV and unofficial university transcripts to sunlabadmin@uottawa.ca and khinzer@uottawa.ca. In the subject line, indicate “New Position at the SUNLAB: Photonic Power Converters - Study of Luminescent Coupling”. Only candidates retained for an interview will be contacted.
The SUNLAB embraces diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We are passionate about our people and committed to employment equity. We foster a culture of respect, teamwork and inclusion, where collaboration, innovation, and creativity fuel our quest for research excellence. While all qualified persons are invited to apply, we welcome applications from qualified Indigenous persons, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, women and LGBTQIA2S+ persons. The SUNLAB is committed to creating and maintaining an accessible, barrier-free work environment. The SUNLAB is also committed to working with applicants with disabilities requesting accommodation during the recruitment, assessment and selection processes.