Full funding will be available for this studentship subject to a successful outcome of an application to the EPSRC for a linked research project grant (outcome expected in February 2015).

The production of low-cost and reliable electricity with minimal environmental impact is one of the biggest challenges for the future of humanity. Solar power is the cleanest and most abundant source of energy, and as such photovoltaic devices that convert light to electricity will likely be a major part of overcoming that challenge.

Multicrystalline silicon solar cells, which currently represent around 50% of the world market for solar energy production, have limited performance due to the impurities in the raw material. Their efficiency is heavily dependent on control of the impurity distribution and effective hydrogen passivation of defects present in the material. However, this passivation process is not completely effective and the reasons for this are not well understood. This project will study the electrical properties of individual defects, mainly dislocations, before and after hydrogen passivation to understand better what limits passivation and to correlate the activity with defect type and the impurities present.

The successful applicant will use facilities at the Begbroke semiconductor clean room, use a state of the art “auto-EBIC” system in close collaboration with Oxford Instruments, learn electrical characterisation methods and probably undertake transmission electron microscopy. The project is in collaboration with a UK multicrystalline silicon manufacturer, PV Crystalox, who will supply silicon material processed under different conditions. This project is directly aimed at improving the understanding and performance of real solar cells and it is hoped higher efficiency multicrystalline cells will result.

Candidates are considered in the January 2015 admissions cycle which has an application deadline of 23 January 2015.  Subject to the outcome of the abovementioned research grant application, this 3.5 year EPSRC DTP studentship will provide full fees and maintenance for a citizen of the UK or for a citizen of the EU who has spent the previous three years (or more) in the UK undertaking undergraduate study.  The stipend is expected to be at least £15,000 per year.  Other EU citizens should read the guidance at http://www.materials.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate/eu.html for further information about eligibility.

Any questions concerning the project can be addressed to Professor Peter Wilshaw (peter.wilshaw<στο>materials.ox.ac.uk).  General enquiries on how to apply can be made by e-mail tograduate.studies<στο>materials.ox.ac.uk.  You must complete the standard Oxford University Application for Graduate Studies and further information and an electronic copy of the application form can be found at http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions/postgraduate_courses/apply/index.html.