Photoelectrochemistry & Photovoltaics

Photoelectrochemistry and Photovoltaics – CIMPS System Overview

The CIMPS (Controlled Intensity-Modulated Photo Spectroscopy) system by Zahner Elektrik is a cutting-edge, modular platform engineered for advanced photoelectrochemical and photovoltaic research. It integrates a precision-controlled potentiostat with active light modulation, enabling sophisticated techniques such as Intensity-Modulated Photocurrent Spectroscopy (IMPS) and Intensity-Modulated Photovoltage Spectroscopy (IMVS). These capabilities are complemented by conventional electrochemical methods, making CIMPS a comprehensive tool for studying solar cells, photoelectrodes, and electrochromic systems.

Key Features of CIMPS

Dynamic Light Feedback Control

CIMPS employs a high-speed feedback loop that actively adjusts LED intensity to maintain consistent illumination throughout the experiment. This real-time correction ensures reproducibility and data integrity, which are crucial in techniques such as IMPS and IMVS.

LED-Based Illumination

The system utilises monochromatic or tuneable LED light sources, covering a wide spectral range from ~295 to 1020 nm. Compared to traditional xenon lamps, these LEDs offer:

• Stable, flicker-free output
• No warm-up time
• Excellent spectral precision and power stability
• Lower energy consumption and maintenance

Versatile Measurement Capabilities

CIMPS supports a broad range of techniques, including:

• Standard electrochemical methods (e.g., CV, EIS)
• IMPS and IMVS
• Chopped Light Voltammetry (CLV)
• Light Transient Spectroscopy
• Quantum Efficiency (QE) and Incident Photon-to-Current Efficiency (IPCE)
• Electroluminescence characterisation
• Spectral absorbance and transmittance for electrochromic materials

Modular Extensions for Advanced Applications

CIMPS-QE/IPCE

This module enables precise determination of IPCE and quantum efficiency using a feedback-controlled LED light with a monochromator. It includes built-in indicators to ensure measurement conditions are optimised across various photovoltaic materials, including dye-sensitised, organic, and III-V solar cells.

CIMPS-ABS

Used to analyse spectral transmittance and absorbance, CIMPS-ABS is ideal for studying electrochromic materials. It accommodates:

• LED or tungsten light sources
• Experiments under variable voltage, current, temperature, pH, or electrolyte concentration

CIMPS-FIT

This high-speed module enables light-intensity transient measurements with temporal resolution down to 50 nanoseconds, allowing investigation of ultrafast charge transport and recombination kinetics in solar cell materials.

CIMPS-EMIT

Designed for electroluminescence studies, CIMPS-EMIT measures both integral and wavelength-resolved light emissions using either:

• A UV-VIS-NIR spectrometer, or
• A calibrated photodiode traceable to NIST standards

CIMPS-MTDR/OIS

This module focuses on the dynamic characterisation of electrochromic materials, measuring:

• Colour/opacity switching times
• Charge transfer dynamics
• Relaxation behaviours under modulated voltage or current conditions

Photoelectrochemical Cell Configurations

PECC-1

• Single window on the electrolyte side
• Optimised for direct, front-side illumination

PECC-2

• Dual windows on both the electrolyte and working electrode sides
• Supports front- or back-side illumination, expanding experimental flexibility for multilayer devices and reflective substrates

Environmental Control and Light Management

CIMPS integrates a Light Exclusion Box (LEB) that serves as:

• A Faraday cage to shield against electrical noise
• A light-tight enclosure to eliminate ambient light interference during ultra-sensitive, low-current measurements

This setup ensures maximum signal clarity and measurement reproducibility, even in complex photoelectrochemical systems.

Summary

The Zahner CIMPS system stands as a gold standard in photoelectrochemical and photovoltaic research, offering unmatched control, resolution, and modularity. Whether you're investigating solar energy materials, electrochromic devices, or charge transfer kinetics, CIMPS enables precise, reproducible, and technically robust measurements—empowering next-generation discoveries in photonics and electrochemistry.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the CIMPS system?
The CIMPS (Controlled Intensity-Modulated Photo Spectroscopy) system is an advanced photoelectrochemical and photovoltaic measurement platform developed by Zahner. It offers precise control over light intensity and supports dynamic techniques such as IMPS and IMVS, as well as standard electrochemical measurements.

2. What advantages does CIMPS offer over conventional photoelectrochemical systems?
CIMPS provides active light control, a wide spectral range via LEDs, and modular extension support. It outperforms traditional setups using passive Xe-lamp sources by offering faster response, higher stability, and better integration for advanced measurements like IMPS, IMVS, and IPCE.

3. Can CIMPS analyse fast kinetics in solar cells?
Yes. The CIMPS-FIT module achieves sub-microsecond resolution, essential for studying charge migration and recombination in organic, dye-sensitised, and perovskite solar cells.

4. What is the difference between PECC-1 and PECC-2 photoelectrochemical cells?
The PECC-1 features a single optical window on the electrolyte side, enabling front-side illumination of the working electrode. In contrast, the PECC-2 is equipped with optical windows on both the electrolyte and working electrode sides, allowing for both front-side and back-side illumination. This dual-window configuration offers enhanced experimental flexibility, particularly for investigating semi-transparent electrodes or layered photoelectrodes.

5. How does CIMPS support electrochromic material research?
Through CIMPS-ABS and MTDR/OIS modules, researchers can track optical and electrical response dynamics, revealing switching behavior, color changes, and charge diffusion mechanisms.

6. What is the spectral range of CIMPS light sources?
CIMPS LEDs cover ~295 to 1020 nm, from UV to near-IR, enabling precise measurement across all relevant photovoltaic materials.

7. Is CIMPS compatible with custom PEC cell setups?
Yes. CIMPS is fully compatible with a wide range of PEC cell geometries and electrode configurations, including third-party or custom-fabricated cells.

8. What is IMPS and how does CIMPS perform it?
IMPS (Intensity Modulated Photocurrent Spectroscopy) is used to study charge transport and recombination in photoelectrochemical systems. CIMPS performs IMPS by modulating LED intensity and analyzing the resulting photocurrent response, offering high-frequency resolution and accurate dynamic profiling.

9. What is IMVS and why is it important?
IMVS (Intensity Modulated Photovoltage Spectroscopy) measures the response of photovoltage under modulated light conditions. It helps determine recombination kinetics in solar cells and photoelectrodes, with CIMPS providing high-fidelity IMVS measurements via precise light modulation.

10. Can CIMPS be used for organic and dye-sensitized solar cell research?
Yes, CIMPS is optimized for analyzing organic, dye-sensitized, and monolithic solar cells. It supports fast kinetics measurement, quantum efficiency analysis, and light transient experiments.