Magnetic fields: a tool for the study of organic solar cells

TL;DR

This paper explores how applying external magnetic fields can enhance photocurrent and reveal internal energy dynamics in organic solar cells, offering a new approach to optimize device efficiency.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical model that uses magnetic fields to study and improve organic solar cell performance without material constraints.

Findings

Magnetic fields significantly increase photocurrent intensity.

Magnetic fields enable detailed study of energy levels and transition rates.

Potential for highly optimized polymer solar cells.

Abstract

Charge transfer in polymer devices represents a crucial, though highly inaccessible stage of photocurrent generation. In this article we propose studying the properties and behaviour of organic solar cells through the modification of photocurrent generation when an external magnetic field is applied. By allowing the parameters of our theoretical model not to be constrained to any specific material, we are able to show that not only a modest external magnetic field leads to a significant increase in photocurrent intensity, but also how such magnetic field can be used to study in detail the energy levels and transition rates within the polymer compound. Systematic exploration of key properties in organic composites thus can lead to highly optimised devices in which a magnetic field produces an enhancement in the efficiency of polymer solar cells.