Thermodynamics and reciprocity of solar energy conversion

Abstract

A model is developed which describes the useful conversion of radiation in different systems: solar cells, photochemical and photobiological systems (as in photosynthesis). The connection with irreversible thermodynamics is emphasised for cases when the differences in temperature and potential are small. Some conjectures are made as to the extension of this work to systems with larger fluxes of heat and photons.