Abstract
Using the small-perturbation assumption that all the useful work is in the form of electron-hole pairs when photons from a blackbody radiation source are incident on a quantum device, we derive the minimum probability of generation of one or more pairs of electron holes. Using the Planck radiation formula for the solar spectrum at 6000 K and for the quantum device at 300 K, this minimum probability is about 0.8 at low photon frequency and approaches the limiting value of 0.95 at high frequency. Its relation to maximum efficiency of a quantum device is discussed.
Recommended Citation
C. Wu, "Minimum Probability of Electron-Hole Pair Generation by Blackbody Radiation," Journal of Applied Physics, vol. 58, no. 1, pp. 575 - 578, American Institute of Physics (AIP), Jul 1985.
The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1063/1.335665
Department(s)
Electrical and Computer Engineering
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
0021-8979
Document Type
Article - Journal
Document Version
Final Version
File Type
text
Language(s)
English
Rights
© 1985 American Institute of Physics (AIP), All rights reserved.
Publication Date
01 Jul 1985
