Assessing the Opportunities of Spectral Shaping by Quantum Cutting for Perovskite/Silicon Tandem Solar Cells

Quantum cutting using Yb-doped halide perovskites provides a promising route for reshaping the solar spectrum for perovskite/silicon tandem photovoltaics by converting one high-energy ultraviolet or visible photon into two near-infrared photons. Using detailed balance analysis, we find that the idealized efficiency limit of perovskite/silicon tandem solar cells remains largely unchanged but identify several opportunities for using a quantum cutting layer. Integrating such a layer shifts the optimal top cell bandgap from 1.7 to ∼1.45 eV, opening the possibility of using potentially more stable, neat iodide perovskite compositions without sacrificing performance. Additionally, beyond efficiency, quantum cutting layers could mitigate ultraviolet-induced degradation of the solar cell stack. Finally, we identify key areas of research needed to unlock this spectral reshaping strategy.