SC03–Microscopic approach to reciprocity and photon recycling in ultrathin solar cells

In contrast to their bulk counterparts, ultrathin solar cells exhibit bias-dependent optical properties. This has severe implications for the validity of conventional opto-electronic reciprocity relations. We review the predictions of this phenomenon from quantum-kinetic theory and discuss the experimental confirmation, as well as the extension of the theoretical framework for the rigorous assessment of photon recycling effects in the electrical characteristics of ultrathin-film solar cell devices.