Photovoltaic spatial light modulators for self-powered smart windows

Yuhan Zhong; Jing Wang; Sadiara Fall; Yaochen Lin; Nicolas Brouckaert; Chaima Mahmoudi; Wenziz Muzuzu; Nicolas Leclerc; Malgosia Kaczmarek; Martin Brinkmann; Thomas Heiser

doi:10.1117/12.2622197

30 May 2022 Photovoltaic spatial light modulators for self-powered smart windows

Yuhan Zhong, Jing Wang, Sadiara Fall, Yaochen Lin, Nicolas Brouckaert, Chaima Mahmoudi, Wenziz Muzuzu, Nicolas Leclerc, Malgosia Kaczmarek, Martin Brinkmann, Thomas Heiser

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Proceedings Volume PC12149, Organic Electronics and Photonics: Fundamentals and Devices III; PC121490M (2022) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2622197
Event: SPIE Photonics Europe, 2022, Strasbourg, France

Abstract

Photovoltaic spatial light modulators form a new class of dynamic glazing that could be of interest to smart windows applications. The structure of the modulators includes a twisted nematic liquid crystal layer and an organic donor-acceptor bulk heterojunction. The latter is in contact with the liquid crystal and is used as a molecular alignment layer. In addition, under illumination, the bulk heterojunction generates an electric field that can be strong enough to orient the liquid crystal molecules homeotropically and change the device optical transmittance, without requiring an external power source. The transmittance of this hybrid device adjusts spontaneously to ambient light within less than a second, with a sensitivity that can be tuned by a passive resistor. While this unique combination of features is desirable for smart windows, the device maximum transmittance in the clear state is currently limiting the possible scope of application. In this contribution, we will firstly present the detailed structure, elaboration procedure and optical properties of a first generation of photovoltaic spatial light modulators that are based on commercially available polymer:fullerene blends and liquid crystals. The physical mechanism underlying the device operation will be demonstrated by crossed-polarizer intensity measurements as a function of incident light intensity and applied voltages. Furthermore, the time-dependent transmittance of a device that is exposed to a pulsed light source will be presented in order to assess its response time and reversibility. In the second part we will describe various routes that we are following to improve the device optical properties in terms of maximum transmittance and sensitivity to ambient light. In particular, a new high band-gap semiconducting molecule that has been designed to achieve a highly transparent bulk heterojunction layer and increase the photo-induced electric field will be presented and its utilization in photovoltaic spatial light modulators will be shown.

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Yuhan Zhong, Jing Wang, Sadiara Fall, Yaochen Lin, Nicolas Brouckaert, Chaima Mahmoudi, Wenziz Muzuzu, Nicolas Leclerc, Malgosia Kaczmarek, Martin Brinkmann, and Thomas Heiser "Photovoltaic spatial light modulators for self-powered smart windows", Proc. SPIE PC12149, Organic Electronics and Photonics: Fundamentals and Devices III, PC121490M (30 May 2022); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2622197

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KEYWORDS

Photovoltaics

Liquid crystals

Transmittance

Heterojunctions

Molecules

Sun

Modulators

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