Solar energy - from the Planck spectrum to the tandem cell

- EN - DE
To mark the centenary of quantum mechanics, the TU Ilmenau is inviting all’interested parties to the lecture "Solar energy - from the Planck spectrum to the tandem cell" on Tuesday, June 10, at 5:15 pm as part of the "Quantum in Ilmenau" lecture series. In his lecture, Professor Thomas Hannappel from TU Ilmenau will describe how photovoltaics - be it the direct conversion of solar energy into electrical energy or into fuels such as hydrogen - cannot be explained without quantum physics. The generally understandable lecture will take place in the lecture hall of the Faradaybau at TU Ilmenau, Weimarer Straße 32, and admission is free.

The world consists of quanta, the smallest building blocks of light and energy, which are subject to their own physical laws and principles. Modern technologies such as solar cells or computer chips would not be possible without quantum mechanics, first formulated in 1925 by German Nobel Prize winner Werner Heisenberg.

In his lecture on June 10, Professor Thomas Hannappel, Head of the Teaching Unit Fundamentals of Electrical Engineering at TU Ilmenau, will explain that photovoltaics, i.e. the direct conversion of solar energy into electrical energy using solar cells, can neither be understood nor specifically developed without a quantum physical and chemical description. The starting point for photovoltaics is solar radiation, the spectral distribution of which Max Planck correctly described for the first time in 1900 with his radiation formula - the birth of quantum theory. In modern solar cells, a wide variety of quantum objects such as photons, electrons, holes, phonons and excitons interact in complex ways. In his lecture, Prof. Hannappel describes the development of solar energy utilization - from simple silicon cells to tandem cells with world record efficiencies to innovative concepts such as artificial leaves, which are already significantly more efficient than their natural counterparts.

Scientists from TU Ilmenau will be presenting current research and fascinating applications from the world of quantum physics in six lectures until July. The lecture series "Quantum in Ilmenau" organized by the TU Ilmenau and the Association of Friends and Sponsors of Natural Sciences in Ilmenau is one of the numerous worldwide activities in the United Nations’ "International Year of Quantum Science and Quantum Technologies". The aim of the Year of the Quantum is to make the findings of quantum physics and their profound impact on our lives more visible - not only to experts, but also to the general public. After all, what began as an abstract theory 100 years ago is now the foundation of numerous technologies and applications that have a lasting impact on our economy and our everyday lives.

Further lectures from the lecture series "Quantum in Ilmenau":

  • 24.06., 17:15 Prof. Siegfried Stapf: Topic "Nuclear magnetic resonance"
  • 08.07., 17:15 Prof. Stefan Krischok: Topic "Photoelectric effect"


Dr. Wichard Beenken
Chairman of the Friends and Sponsors of Natural Sciences in Ilmenau e. V.
+49 3677 69-3258
wichard.beenken@tu-ilmenau.de