Alexandra Bothwell joined in NREL in early 2021 as a postdoctoral researcher. Her research focuses on the electro-optical properties of thin-film photovoltaic (PV) devices through spectroscopic measurements, with a primary focus on understanding and mitigating efficiency-limiting loss mechanisms in these devices. 
 
She obtained her bachelor's degree in physics from Hamilton College and doctorate from Colorado State University. Her doctoral work focused on fabrication and characterization-guided improvement of the voltage deficit in thin cadmium telluride (CdTe)-based PV devices. 

For additional information, see Alexandra Bothwell's LinkedIn profile.

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed on LinkedIn are the author’s own, made in the author's individual capacity, and do not necessarily reflect the views of NREL.

Research Interests

Photovoltaic devices

Fabrication methods

Photoluminescence spectroscopy

Performance loss analysis 

Education

Ph.D., Physics, Colorado State University 

M.S., Physics, Colorado State University 

B.A., Physics, Hamilton College 

Featured Work

Close-Space Sublimation-Deposited Ultra-Thin CdSeTe/CdTe Solar Cells for Enhanced Short-Circuit Current Density and Photoluminescence, Journal of Visualized Experiments (2020)

Characterization of Thin CdTe Solar Cells with a CdSeTe Front Layer, MRS Advances (2019)

Performance Analysis of 0.4-1.2-μm CdTe Solar Cells, Journal of Photovoltaics (2019)