Analysis of quantum coherent semiconductor quantum dot p-i-n junction photovoltaic cells.

A recent hypothesis [M. O. Scully, Phys. Rev. Lett. 104, 207701 (2010).] indicates that the power conversion efficiency of a semiconducting p-i-n junction photovoltaic cell with an intrinsic region consisting of quantum dots can be increased by using quantum coherence to break detailed balance. The limitations of this hypothesis are shown here.