White Light Responses Research Articles

Fast and accurate short-circuit current versus irradiance determination of a spectrally nonlinear solar cell using a spectral shaping setup

This work presents a fast and accurate solar cell characterization method for determining the short-circuit current I STC under standard test conditions. Additionally, the short-circuit current versus irradiance relation is derived, including accurately and precisely measured nonlinearities. Similar to the Differential Spectral Responsivity (DSR) method, our White Light Response (WLR) method uses a differential measurement technique with lock-in amplifiers. The first derivative of the short-circuit current versus irradiance relation (AM1.5-weighted differential responsivity) is measured at many irradiance levels without additional spectral mismatch corrections and considers the AM1.5 reference solar spectral irradiance distribution. The WLR method is significantly faster than the DSR method in determining the short-circuit current and nonlinearities. The highly spectrally nonlinear rear side of a bifacial PERC solar cell was investigated. The strong influence of the number of measured AM1.5-weighted differential responsivities and interpolation procedures on the short-circuit current I STC is demonstrated. Finally, the accuracy of the results is discussed by means of a measurement comparison with the fully spectrally resolved DSR methods at PTB and CalLab PV Cells at ISE. • Fast nonlinearity determination in the current versus irradiance curve • AM1.5 reference solar spectrum at a low irradiance is reproduced • Measurement comparison with the Differential Spectral Responsivity (DSR) method • A spectrally nonlinear rear side of a bifacial PERC solar cell is investigated • Interpolation procedure, number of measured differential responsivities is crucial

UV enhanced white-light response based on p-Si/n-ZnO nanorod heterojunction photosensor

Two-regime photosensor has been fabricated from p-n junction between p-Si and n-ZnO nanorods. The junction is obtained by simply grown vertically-aligned ZnO nanorods on silicon substrate via hydrothermal method. As expected, the device response to visible and UV spectrum due to the band gap of silicon and ZnO, respectively. However, it is found that photoresponse to visible light can be enhanced under UV activation. Detailed mechanism behind the phenomena is proposed along with the photoluminescence results of defect states in ZnO nanorods. The trapped electrons from UV stimulation could be excited to conduction band by white light and contributed to the increase of the photocurrent of the device under white-light irradiation. This low-temperature solution growth ZnO nanorod-based UV–vis photosensor also presents reproducible results and fast recovery time.

Mouse Cones Adapt Fast, Rods Slowly In Vivo.

To study rod- and cone-driven adaptation dynamics separately, we used the silent substitution technique to selectively stimulate rods or cones in the Opn1lwLIAIS (LIAIS) mouse, in which the native M-cone pigment is replaced by a human L-cone pigment (L*). ERG recordings were performed on anesthetized LIAIS mice. ERG stimuli were sinusoidally modulated. After 10 minutes of adaptation to 0.4 candela per square meter (cd/m2) ERGs were measured, followed by 11-minute adaptation to 8.8 cd/m2 background and recordings directly after the luminance increase and every second minute. Finally, during adaptation to 0.4 cd/m2 for 32 minutes, ERG responses were recorded directly after the change in background and every second minute. This protocol was repeated with rod-isolating stimuli (8 Hz; 75% rod contrast), L*-cone-isolating stimuli (12 Hz; 55% cone contrast) and white light (8 Hz and 12 Hz; 100% Michelson contrast). At 8.8 cd/m2, responses directly displayed photopic response properties without further changes in either cone or white light responses. Rod-driven responses were very small. After the return to 0.4 cd/m2, both rod-driven and white light responses increased over a time course of about 30 minutes. Cone-driven responses were very small. Response phases changed directly after a change in background without further alterations. Rod- and cone-driven signal pathways display strongly different adaptation characteristics: adaptation of cone-driven responses to photopic conditions is very fast, whereas rod-driven responses change with a time course up to 30 minutes during scotopic conditions. Luminance responses are cone-driven at 8.8 cd/m2 and rod-driven at 0.4 cd/m2.

Interlaboratory comparison of short-circuit current versus irradiance linearity measurements of photovoltaic devices

This work presents the results of the first interlaboratory comparison of linearity measurements of short-circuit current versus irradiance that includes a wide variety of photovoltaic (PV) device types, from reference cells to full-size modules. The aim of this inter-comparison was to compare the methods employed and to collect new inputs useful for the revision of the standard IEC 60904-10, which deals with linearity measurements for PV devices. The procedures and facilities employed by the partners include the differential spectral responsivity, the white light response, the solar simulator method and the two-lamp method. The facilities are generically described and compared and their main sources of uncertainty are discussed. Comparison results show good agreement within declared uncertainties between all partners. A few minor exceptions under low-light conditions raise questions of possible uncertainty underestimation for these specific conditions. The overall outcome of the comparison also highlights the importance of considering correlations in the uncertainty budget, which can potentially improve the overall stated uncertainty. A critical review is made of the data analysis adopted in the standard IEC 60904-10 to calculate the linearity degree of the short-circuit current towards irradiance. The analysis review suggests a way to make results based on different methods more comparable and less prone to erroneous linearity assessment.

The acclimation of Tilia cordata stomatal opening in response to light, and stomatal anatomy to vegetational shade and its components.

Stomatal anatomical traits and rapid responses to several components of visible light were measured in Tilia cordata Mill. seedlings grown in an open, fully sunlit field (C-set), or under different kinds of shade. The main questions were: (i) stomatal responses to which visible light spectrum regions are modified by growth-environment shade and (ii) which separate component of vegetational shade is most effective in eliciting the acclimation effects of the full vegetational shade. We found that stomatal opening in response to red or green light did not differ between the plants grown in the different environments. Stomatal response to blue light was increased (in comparison with that of C-set) in the leaves grown in full vegetational shade (IABW-set), in attenuated UVAB irradiance (AB-set) or in decreased light intensity (neutral shade) plus attenuated UVAB irradiance (IAB-set). In all sets, the addition of green light-two or four times stronger-into induction light barely changed the rate of the blue-light-stimulated stomatal opening. In the AB-set, stomatal response to blue light equalled the strong IABW-set response. In attenuated UVB-grown leaves, stomatal response fell midway between IABW- and C-set results. Blue light response by neutral shade-grown leaves did not differ from that of the C-set, and the response by the IAB-set did not differ from that of the AB-set. Stomatal size was not modified by growth environments. Stomatal density and index were remarkably decreased only in the IABW- and IAB-sets. It was concluded that differences in white light responses between T. cordata leaves grown in different light environments are caused only by their different blue light response. Differences in stomatal sensitivity are not dependent on altered stomatal anatomy. Attenuated UVAB irradiance is the most efficient component of vegetational shade in stimulating acclimation of stomata, whereas decreased light intensity plays a minor role.

Pollutant tracking for 3 Western North Atlantic sea grasses by remote sensing: Preliminary diminishing white light responses of Thalassia testudinum, Halodule wrightii, and Zostera marina

Sea grasses are foundation species for estuarine ecosystems. The available light for sea grasses diminishes rapidly during pollutant spills, effluent releases, disturbances such as intense riverine input, and tidal changes. We studied how sea grasses’ remote-sensing signatures and light-capturing ability respond to short term light alterations. In vivo responses were measured over the entire visible-light spectra to diminishing white-light on whole-living-plants’ spectral reflectance, including 6h of full oceanic-light fluences from 10% to 100%. We analyzed differences by various reflectance indices. We compared the sea grasses species responses of tropical vs. temperate and intertidals (Halodule wrightii, and Zostera marina) vs. subtidal (Thalassia testudinum). Reflectance diminished with decreasing light intensity that coincided with greater accessory pigment stimulation (anthocyanin, carotenoids, xanthins). Chlorophyll a and Chlorophyll b differed significantly among species (Thalassia vs. Halodule). Photosynthetic efficiency diminished at high light intensities. The NDVI index was inadequate to perceive these differences. Our results demonstrate the leaf-level utility of data to remote sensing for mapping sea grass and sea grass stress.

Comparison and Correction of the Light Sensor Output from 48 Wearable Light Exposure Devices by Using a Side-by-Side Field Calibration Method

ABSTRACTMeasurement of personal light exposures and activity has gained popularity in studies of the circadian rhythm and its effects on human health. Calibration of a batch of measuring devices may be needed, especially before initiating interventional studies, but manufactory calibration of devices before every initiated study is costly for the researcher and therefore often left out. Still, knowledge of inter-equipment variability is essential and seldom provided by the manufactory. The aim of the present study was to develop and test a method for field calibration of Actiwatch Spectrum devices. We tested 48 Actiwatch devices side by side under various light sources and present the red, green, blue, and white light response variability among the Actiwatches. The influence of different spatial and spectral light environments on the white light response when compared with the output from a calibrated photometer is discussed. In agreement with previous studies by Price and others [2012] and Figueiro and others [2013], we confirm the devices’ white light responses to be highly dependent on both the spatial and the spectral composition of the light. The white light response represents photopic illuminance only to a minor degree and light source-specific calibration may therefore be needed in some cases. Moreover, light responses were found to vary between devices by up to 60%. Implications are that the results of light effects on health issues in studies using Actiwatches are blurred by the equipment variability. To compensate for inter-equipment variability we stress the need for a field calibration procedure. When light exposure devices of lower grade quality are used in spectrally and spatially changing light environments, daylight from a diffused overcast sky is suggested to be used for side-by-side calibration of Actiwatches and similar personal light exposure devices. We suggest that the calibration methods presented can be used for calibration of other practical field devices, with respect to the various sensors already on the market and devices that will be introduced in the future.

High-speed phosphorescent white LED visible light communications without utilizing a blue filter

We experimentally demonstrate a high-speed phosphorescent white light emitting diode (LED) visible light communication (VLC) system without utilizing an optical blue filter. Here, the white light response is equalized by using the proposed analog equalizers. The 3 dB bandwidth of the VLC link could be extended from 3 to 132 MHz, which allows 330 Mbit/s non-return-to-zero on–off keying (NRZ-OOK) data transmission with a bit error ratio (BER) of 7.2×10−10 and 672 Mbit/s 64-quadrature amplitude modulation (64-QAM) data transmission with a BER of 3.2×10−3. These resultant BERs are less than the forward error correction (FEC) limit of 3.8×10−3. The VLC link distance is 1 m using a single 1 W LED. The transmitter and receiver modules are integrated to a compact size. Furthermore, the relationships between the signal performance and illumination level or optical power are investigated and analyzed.

Synthesis, characterization and electrical properties of hybrid Zn2GeO4–ZnO beaded nanowire arrays

We report the syntheses of vertically aligned, beaded zinc germinate (Zn2GeO4)/zinc oxide (ZnO) hybrid nanowire arrays via a catalyst-free approach. Vertically aligned ZnO nanowire is used as a lattice matching reactive template for the growth of Zn2GeO4/ZnO nanowire. The morphology and structure of the as-prepared samples were characterized using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). TEM studies revealed the beaded microstructures of the Zn2GeO4/ZnO nanowire. The thickness and microstructures of crystalline beads could be easily controlled by tuning the growth duration and temperature. The photoluminescence spectrum of the Zn2GeO4/ZnO nanowires is composed of two peaks, i.e., the ultraviolet (UV) peak and the defect peak. For longer treatment duration of the samples, both the UV and defect peak intensities decrease dramatically. One application of the as-prepared Zn2GeO4/ZnO nanowire is to use the nanowire as template for the growth of three-dimensionally (3D) aligned, high-density ZnO nanobranches en route to hierarchical structure. The study of field emission properties of the as-prepared samples revealed the low turn-on voltage and high current density electron emission from the 3D ZnO nanobranches as compared to the ZnO nanowires and Zn2GeO4/ZnO nanowires. Furthermore, the electrical transport behavior of single hybrid nanowire device indicates the formation of back-to-back Schottky barriers (SBs) formation at the contacts and its application in white-light response has been demonstrated.

Highly localized non-linear optical white-light response at nanorod ends from non-resonant excitation

We investigate gold nanorods that are excited non-resonantly using a femtosecond 800 nm pulsed laser beam. We find that they emit very localized white light--two-photon induced photoluminescence (PL)--spatially confined in the optical far-field with a full-width-at-half-maximum of 138 nm (x-y plane) and 328 nm (z-plane). The PL spectrum is characterized to show at least two components--a second-harmonic peak and an intrinsic gold interband transition.

The use of different eye regions in the mantis shrimp Hemisquilla californiensis Stephenson, 1967 (Crustacea: Stomatopoda) for detecting objects

A behavioral assay was used to assess the ability of the stomatopod Hemisquilla californiensis to perceive and respond to a moving target under different wavelengths and intensities of light illumination. Subjects responded to targets rotating horizontally across their visual field by a brief startle response of their eyes or antennules but did not track the targets. Under white light responses were elicited down to a light intensity of 0.9 μW cm − 2 . Responses were seen in blue light at intensities as low as 0.5 μW cm − 2 , and in green light down to 1.0 μW cm − 2 . The animals were less sensitive to red light, with no responses seen at intensities below 3.0 μW cm − 2 . Subjects did not respond to the targets at all under infrared light. This response pattern mirrors the computed sensitivity spectrum of ommatidia in the species' peripheral hemispheres but not that in most of the central bands. We conclude that this species uses the monochromatic vision in the peripheral hemispheres of its eyes to recognize objects and that the sharply tuned color receptors of the central band serve to add supplemental information if light conditions allow.

Light regulation of the Arabidopsis respiratory chain. Multiple discrete photoreceptor responses contribute to induction of type II NAD(P)H dehydrogenase genes.

Controlled oxidation reactions catalyzed by the large, proton-pumping complexes of the respiratory chain generate an electrochemical gradient across the mitochondrial inner membrane that is harnessed for ATP production. However, several alternative respiratory pathways in plants allow the maintenance of substrate oxidation while minimizing the production of ATP. We have investigated the role of light in the regulation of these energy-dissipating pathways by transcriptional profiling of the alternative oxidase, uncoupling protein, and type II NAD(P)H dehydrogenase gene families in etiolated Arabidopsis seedlings. Expression of the nda1 and ndc1 NAD(P)H dehydrogenase genes was rapidly up-regulated by a broad range of light intensities and qualities. For both genes, light induction appears to be a direct transcriptional effect that is independent of carbon status. Mutant analyses demonstrated the involvement of two separate photoreceptor families in nda1 and ndc1 light regulation: the phytochromes (phyA and phyB) and an undetermined blue light photoreceptor. In the case of the nda1 gene, the different photoreceptor systems generate distinct kinetic induction profiles that are integrated in white light response. Primary transcriptional control of light response was localized to a 99-bp region of the nda1 promoter, which contains an I-box flanked by two GT-1 elements, an arrangement prevalent in the promoters of photosynthesis-associated genes. Light induction was specific to nda1 and ndc1. The only other substantial light effect observed was a decrease in aox2 expression. Overall, these results suggest that light directly influences the respiratory electron transport chain via photoreceptor-mediated transcriptional control, likely for supporting photosynthetic metabolism.

White-light response of an m.o.s.t.

The photocurrent in an m.o.s.t. due to white-light illumination is studied. From the dependence of the photocurrent on the gate and drain voltages at different light intensities, the mechanisms responsible for the photocurrent are discussed.