Organic Photovoltaics

In collaboration with Prof. Sarah Burke's laboratory we have very recently begun a research effort on improving the charge transfer (and hence efficiency) of organic photovoltaics (PV) by studying the coupled spatial-temporal dynamics of PV interfaces at the molecular level. Employing scanning probe microscopy (SPM) in tandem with time-resolved, angle-resolve photoemission spectroscopy (tr-ARPES) we seek to optimize PV’s conversion efficiencies by tracking (at the nanoscale) electronic and vibrational coupling in metal organic PV molecules and maximizing charge transfer at surface interfaces. Through these efforts we seek to record (simultaneously in both in the spatial and temporal domains) reaction pathways and associated quantum coherences through vibrational and electronic states following photoexcitation with goals of uncovering the mechanisms (and thus improving) energy transport in PVs.