Phenomenon · phenomenon:photovoltaic-effect

Photovoltaic effect

Photons absorbed near a p–n junction create electron–hole pairs that the built-in field separates, producing a photocurrent at a photovoltage.

Optics and photonicsfirst reported 1839

Atlas record: 12 claims reference this phenomenon — 9 established and 3 demonstrated.

Explorerelations · matrix context · routes · sources · cite

conditions: solid · semiconductor required · illumination required

12claims13enumerated routes4routes with complete-composition evidence0candidate routes not searched9cited sources

Relations

drives · 2

Incident radiation flux—drives→Photovoltaic effectestablished

photon energy above the band gap of the absorber
a p–n junction or other asymmetry to separate the carriers before they recombine

J_sc = R · G · spectral responsivity R [A/W]

Photons—drives→Photovoltaic effectestablished

photons from any source, including a thermal emitter, absorbed above the gap

produces · 1

Photovoltaic effect—produces→Electron–hole pairsestablished

member of · 1

Photovoltaic effect—member of→Photovoltaicestablished

implemented by · 4

Photovoltaic effect—implemented by→Combustion-driven micro-thermophotovoltaic generator (μTPV)demonstrated

Photovoltaic effect—implemented by→Radioluminescent (beta-photovoltaic) nuclear batterydemonstrated

Photovoltaic effect—implemented by→Photovoltaic cellestablished

Photovoltaic effect—implemented by→Thermophotovoltaic celldemonstrated

cell band gap matched to a > 2000 K emitter, with a back reflector returning sub-gap photons

bounded by · 2

Photovoltaic effect—bounded by→Shockley–Queisser limitestablished

single junction, unconcentrated sunlight

Photovoltaic effect—bounded by→Landsberg limitestablished

observed in · 1

Photovoltaic effect—observed in→Crystalline siliconestablished

governed by · 1

Photovoltaic effect—governed by→Electromagnetic interactionestablished

Matrix context

D = disequilibrium row · C = coupling family column. A cell reads the state of the atlas for that pair.

D.11 × C.18 · Incident radiation flux × Photovoltaic · Established

family: Photovoltaic (C.18)

Enumerated routes through this · 13

Photovoltaic module3/3 est · demonstrated
Thermophotovoltaic conversion5/5 est · demonstrated
Combustion-driven micro-thermophotovoltaic generator7/7 est · demonstrated
Radioluminescent (beta-photovoltaic) nuclear battery7/7 est · demonstrated
Chemical potential difference → Combustion → Temperature gradient → Thermal emission → Photons → Photovoltaic effect → Electron–hole pairs → Electrical work7/7 est · extends a recorded pathway
Electric potential difference → Peltier effect → Temperature gradient → Thermal emission → Photons → Photovoltaic effect → Electron–hole pairs → Electrical work7/7 est · same energy form
Electric potential difference → Ettingshausen effect → Temperature gradient → Thermal emission → Photons → Photovoltaic effect → Electron–hole pairs → Electrical work7/7 est · same energy form
Incident radiation flux → Photothermal absorption → Temperature gradient → Thermal emission → Photons → Photovoltaic effect → Electron–hole pairs → Electrical work7/7 est · extends a recorded pathway
Radiative imbalance with the sky → Radiative sky cooling → Temperature gradient → Thermal emission → Photons → Photovoltaic effect → Electron–hole pairs → Electrical work7/7 est · extends a recorded pathway
Nuclear binding-energy difference → Radioactive decay → Alpha particles → Radioluminescence → Photons → Photovoltaic effect → Electron–hole pairs → Electrical work7/7 est · extends a recorded pathway
Nuclear binding-energy difference → Nuclear fission → Temperature gradient → Thermal emission → Photons → Photovoltaic effect → Electron–hole pairs → Electrical work7/7 est · extends a recorded pathway
Nuclear binding-energy difference → Nuclear fission → Hot gas → Thermal emission → Photons → Photovoltaic effect → Electron–hole pairs → Electrical work7/7 est · extends a recorded pathway
Nuclear binding-energy difference → Nuclear fusion → Temperature gradient → Thermal emission → Photons → Photovoltaic effect → Electron–hole pairs → Electrical work5/7 est · extends a recorded pathway

Cited sources · 9

[1]
W. Shockley, H. J. Queisser. Detailed balance limit of efficiency of p-n junction solar cells (1961)
Journal of Applied Physics 32, 510–519 · doi:10.1063/1.1736034 · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record
[2]
C. Kittel. Introduction to Solid State Physics (8th ed.) (2005)
Wiley · book, no DOI · record
[3]
W. R. Chan et al.. Toward high-energy-density, high-efficiency, and moderate-temperature chip-scale thermophotovoltaics (2013)
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences 110(14), 5309–5314 · doi:10.1073/pnas.1301004110 · record
[4]
J. Russo et al.. A radioluminescent nuclear battery using volumetric configuration: 63Ni solution/ZnS:Cu,Al/InGaP (2017)
Applied Radiation and Isotopes 130, 66–74 · doi:10.1016/j.apradiso.2017.09.018 · record
[5]
M. A. Green, et al.. Solar cell efficiency tables (Version 63) (2024)
Progress in Photovoltaics 32, 3–13 · doi:10.1002/pip.3750 · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record
[6]
P. T. Landsberg, G. Tonge. Thermodynamic energy conversion efficiencies (1980)
Journal of Applied Physics 51, R1–R20 · doi:10.1063/1.328187 · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record
[7]
D. M. Chapin, C. S. Fuller, G. L. Pearson. A new silicon p-n junction photocell for converting solar radiation into electrical power (1954)
Journal of Applied Physics 25, 676–677 · doi:10.1063/1.1721711 · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record
[8]
A. LaPotin, et al.. Thermophotovoltaic efficiency of 40% (2022)
Nature 604, 287–291 · doi:10.1038/s41586-022-04473-y · crossref ✓ 2026-09-19 · record
[9]
A. E. Becquerel. Mémoire sur les effets électriques produits sous l'influence des rayons solaires (1839)
Comptes Rendus de l'Académie des Sciences 9, 561–567 · paper, no DOI · record

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