Department of Physics and Astronomy
PhD Public Lecture
Ali Hatef
Supervisor: Dr. Mahi Singh
“Quantum Coherence and Interference in Metallic Photonic Crystals and Hybrid Systems”
DATE: FRIDAY, 9th December 2011
TIME: 1:00 p.m.
PLACE: Physics & Astronomy Room 22
All are welcome to attend.
Poster: http://www.physics.uwo.ca/colloquia/Colloquia%20Notices/2011_2012/KHERANI%20Colloquium.pdf
PHYSICS & ASTRONOMY COLLOQUIUM
Date: Thursday, 8th December 2011
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Physics & Astronomy Seminar Room 22
Dr. Nazir P. Kherani
Electrical and Computer Engineering
University of Toronto
“Photovoltaic –Photonic Crystal Interplay”
ABSTRACT
On the steps of Volta’s discovery of the voltaic effect in 1800 and Becquerel’s discovery of the photovoltaic effect in 1839, followed more than a 100 years of research before scientists at Bell Laboratories developed the first silicon pn junction photovoltaic device. In the intervening 60 years great strides have been made in the field of photovoltaics (PV). Today it is recognized that PV can become a significant component of sustainable terrestrial energy sources. It is non‐polluting, environment friendly, and its fuel is distributed relatively uniformly and is free.
However, with the continual drive towards grid‐parity and thus reduction of cost per peak watt, a range of novel approaches are being pursued which offer the potential combination of reduction in material and processing costs and maximal solar utilization. In this context, photonic crystals present interesting light propagation control that could make them amenable to novel photovoltaic‐photonic crystal integrations. Recently, we have proposed a novel class of photonic crystals, called selectively transparent and conducting photonic crystals (STCPCs). These STCPCs, a significant advance over existing 1D PCs, combine intense wavelength selective broadband reflectance with the transmissive and electrically conductive properties of sputtered transparent conducting oxides. This integration of optical and electrical functionalities into a single device element has opened the way for performance enhancement in a range of optoelectronic devices including photovoltaics.
The talk will provide an overview of photovoltaics, highlighting a range of device material systems and cell concepts and their associated strengths and challenges. The presentation will then focus on our recent studies on the potential use of photonic crystals in PV devices, with an emphasis on their application in thin film silicon solar cells; specifically, their application of selectively transparent and conducting photonic crystals in photovoltaics and allied devices will be underlined. Allied investigations into low‐cost high‐efficiency ultra‐thin silicon photovoltaics and recent laser-assisted synthesis of tailorable light trapping patterns in silicon will also be presented.
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Coffee & cookies will be available, courtesy of
TODAY
The University of Western Ontario
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
THEORETICAL PHYSICS SEMINAR
Date: FRIDAY, 18th November 2011
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Location: Physics & Astronomy Seminar Room 22
Dr. Latham Boyle
Cosmology & Gravitation
Perimeter Institute
“New windows on black holes and the very early universe”
ABSTRACT
The following two assertions are widely believed by physicists, but have been hard to confirm convincingly:
(i) the space-time near a black hole is described by Kerr’s beautiful 1963 solution of Einstein’s theory of General Relativity; and
(ii) the very early universe experienced a burst of accelerated expansion (“inflation”).
I will discuss new strategies to test these statements. First, I will suggest a strategy to detect light rays that are bent by large angles as they pass near a black hole. Second, I will explain how forthcoming cosmological observations may align in a way that would convince even a hardened skeptic that inflation is correct.
TODAY
Department of Physics and Astronomy
PhD Public Lecture
Dustin Haw
Supervisor: Dr. Blaine Chronik
“High power systems for dynamic field control and shielding in the MR environment”
DATE: FRIDAY, 18th November 2011
TIME: 1:00 p.m.
PLACE: Physics & Astronomy Room 22
All are welcome to attend.
The University of Western Ontario
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY
ELIZABETH LAIRD MEMORIAL LECTURE
Thursday, 1st December 2011
3:30 p.m. in the McKellar Room (UCC290)
Dr. Leonard C. Feldman
Professor of Physics and Materials Science and Engineering
Rutgers the State University and Vanderbilt University
“The Materials Revolution”
Abstract: Modern materials research includes engineering with atoms, the molecule-by-molecule attack of a cancer growth, collecting the sun’s energy with nanocrystals, exploiting the quantum world for computing, defining a stem cell by mechanical deformation and bringing the quantum world to the human experience in an ultra-small solid!
Materials science is the prime example of interdisciplinary research at its best. Extraordinary accomplishments range from Nobel prizes in chemistry and physics to society-changing applications. These accomplishments are underpinned by the technology revolution that brought us to this point in time, and will drive societal changes for the foreseeable future. Currently, the forefront of materials science is at the nano-scale. The nanometer, about four atoms long, exploits the progress of the last century in understanding the atom, and the collection of atoms that constitute a solid. Advances in nano-scale materials are envisioned as the solution to some of the dominant technological problems facing our world¾conservation of energy and environment, water purification and propagating the information revolution. This talk highlights research directed to these advances, including new results in organic electronics, nano-scale desalination and the sophisticated control of materials interfaces for efficient energy use. But, as in all research, it is the future serendipitous discoveries of creative young scientists at well-prepared institutions that will extend the revolution to new ways of thinking and breath-taking new technologies.