Persistent internal photopolarization in C/sub 60/ thin films: proposal for a novel fullerene-based solar cell

We report on a persistent internal photopolarization effect observed in C/sub 60/ thin films at room temperature. This differs from the similar "photoelectret" state previously seen in some other materials in that, unlike the latter, C/sub 60/ does not undergo rapid photodepolarization. We suggest to utilize this phenomenon in fullerene-based heterojunction solar cells. A possible operating principle of such a device may combine the permanent built-in potential of a heterojunction with the repeatable photopolarization of a fullerene layer (phase).

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