Radiation-Induced Defect Creation and Healing in Metal-Halide Perovskites

Recent reports on radiation testing of perovskite solar cells highlight their potential for space power applications. However, this is a surprising finding given the structural fragility of perovskite lattices that are expected to easily undergo radiation damage. In this talk, I will present a framework for radiation-matter interactions in perovskite semiconductors where the radiation-induced displacement defects are partially healed by electronic ionization from high energy protons. I will highlight the likely role electron-phonon coupling plays in self-healing in these semiconductors, leading to recovery of solar cell power conversion efficiency. Due to the chemical complexity of perovskites, the nature and type of generated defects depend on the incident radiation energy. This is a scenario very different from Si and 111- V semiconductors and highlights the challenge in developing a comprehensive understanding of radiation-matter interactions in perovskites.