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We report on the ultrafast carrier dynamics in hydrogenated nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si:H) using time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy. Photoexcitation at 407 nm primarily produces charge carriers in the a-Si phase, but they undergo a rapid electron transfer to the c-Si phase prior to complete thermalization into the band-tail states of a-Si. We studied the carrier dynamics on a range of nc-Si:H samples with varying crystalline volume fractions (Xc) and mapped out the carrier dynamics with sub-ps resolution. Our measurements are consistent with a model in which electrons are first trapped at interface states at the a-Si-c-Si boundary prior to being thermally emitted into the c-Si phase. Wavelength and temperature dependent measurements are consistent with our model. The phenomena observed here have implications toward solar cell structures that utilize an amorphous material as an absorber layer, previously thought to have a mobility value too low to attain effective charge transport in a device. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioregenerative life-support systems (BLSS) involving plants will be required to realize self-sustaining human settlements beyond Earth. To improve plant productivity in BLSS, the quality of the solar spectrum can be modified by lightweight, luminescent films. CuInS2/ZnS quantum dot (QD) films were used to down-convert ultraviolet/blue photons to red emissions centered at 600 and 660 nm, resulting in increased biomass accumulation in red romaine lettuce. All plant growth parameters, except for spectral quality, were uniform across three production environments. Lettuce grown under the 600 and 660 nm-emitting QD films respectively increased edible dry mass (13 and 9%), edible fresh mass (11% each), and total leaf area (8 and 13%) compared with under a control film containing no QDs. Spectral modifications by the luminescent QD films improved photosynthetic efficiency in lettuce and could enhance productivity in greenhouses on Earth, or in space where, further conversion is expected from greater availability of ultraviolet photons. Parrish et al. demonstrate the modification of an incoming solar spectrum through downconversion of high energy UV/blue photons into orange/red photons using luminescent quantum dot films, leading to improved growth of leaf vegetables. Such technology can improve greenhouse productivity while reducing energy costs and can be useful to realize self-sustaining human settlements beyond Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]