Subscribe to the gold package and get unlimited access to Shamra Academy
Register a new userEfficiency limits of quantum well solar cells
182
0
0.0
(
0
)
Authors
J.P.Connolly
Ask ChatGPT about the research
No Arabic abstract
The quantum well solar cell (QWSC) has been proposed as a flexible means to ensuring current matching for tandem cells. This paper explores the further advantage afforded by the indication that QWSCs operate in the radiative limit because radiative contribution to the dark current is seen to dominate in experimental data at biases corresponding to operation under concentration. The dark currents of QWSCs are analysed in terms of a light and dark current model. The model calculates the spectral response (QE) from field bearing regions and charge neutral layers and from the quantum wells by calculating the confined densities of states and absorption coefficient, and solving transport equations analytically. The total dark current is expressed as the sum of depletion layer and charge neutral radiative and non radiative currents consistent with parameter values extracted from QE fits to data. The depletion layer dark current is a sum of Shockley-Read-Hall non radiative, and radiative contributions. The charge neutral region contribution is expressed in terms of the ideal Shockley radiative and non-radiative currents modified to include surface recombination. This analysis shows that the QWSC is inherently subject to the fundamental radiative efficiency limit at high currents where the radiative dark current dominates, whereas good homojunction cells are well described by the ideal Shockley picture where the limit is determined by radiative and non radiative recombination in the charge neutral layers of the cell.
rate research
Read More
The quantum well solar cell (QWSC) has been proposed as a route to higher efficiency than that attainable by homojunction devices. Previous studies have established that carriers escape the quantum wells with high efficiency in forward bias and contribute to the photocurrent. Progress in resolving the efficiency limits of these cells has been dogged by the lack of a theoretical model reproducing both the enhanced carrier gen- eration and enhanced recombination due to the quantum wells. Here we present a model which calculates the incremental generation and recombination due to the QWs and is verified by modelling the experimental light and dark current-voltage characteristics of a range of III-V quantum well structures. We find that predicted dark currents are significantly greater than experiment if we use lifetimes derived from homostructure devices. Successful simulation of light and dark currents can be obtained only by introducing a parameter which represents a reduction in the quasi-Fermi level separation.
The spectral response of quantum well solar cells (QWSCs) is well understood. We describe work on QWSC dark current theory which combined with SR theory yields a system efficiency. A methodology published for single quantum well (SQW) systems is extended to MQW systems in the Al(x) Ga(1-x) As and InGa(0.53x) As(x) P systems. The materials considered are dominated by Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) recombination. The SRH formalism expresses the dark current in terms of carrier recombination through mid-gap traps. The SRH recombination rate depends on the electron and hole densities of states (DOS) in the barriers and wells, which are well known, and of carrier non-radiative lifetimes. These material quality dependent lifetimes are extracted from analysis of suitable bulk control samples. Consistency over a range of AlGaAs controls and QWSCs is examined, and the model is applied to QWSCs in InGaAsP on InP substrates. We find that the dark currents of MQW systems require a reduction of the quasi Fermi level separation between carrier populations in the wells relative to barrier material, in line with previous studies. Consequences for QWSCs are considered suggesting a high efficiency potential.
The GaAs/AlGaAs materials system is well suited to multi-bandgap applications such as the multiple quantum well solar cell. GaAs quantum wells are inserted in the undoped AlGaAs active region of a pin structure to extend the absorption range while retaining a higher open circuit voltage than would be provided by a cell made of the well material alone. Unfortunately aluminium gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) suffers from poor transport characteristics due to DX centres and oxygen contamination during growth, which degrade the spectral response. We investigate three mechanisms for improving the spectral response of the MQW solar cell while an experimental study of the open circuit voltage examines the voltage enhancement. An optimised structure for a high efficiency GaAs/AlGaAs solar cell is proposed.
The intermediate band solar cell (IBSC) and quantum ratchet solar cell (QRSC) have the potential to surpass the efficiency of standard single-junction solar cells by allowing sub-gap photon absorption through states deep inside the band gap. High efficiency IBSC and QRSC devices have not yet been achieved, however, since introducing mid-gap states also increases recombination, which can harm the device. We consider the electronically coupled upconverter (ECUC) solar cell and show that it can achieve the same efficiencies as the QRSC. Although they are equivalent in the detailed balance limit, the ECUC is less sensitive to nonradiative processes, which makes it a more practical implementation for IB devices. We perform a case study of crystalline-silicon based ECUC cells, focusing on hydrogenated amorphous silicon as the upconverter material and highlighting potential dopants for the ECUC. These results illustrate a new path for the development of IB-based devices.
We report on the influence of the quantum well thickness on the effective band gap and conversion efficiency of In0.12Ga0.88N/GaN multiple quantum well solar cells. The band-to-band transition can be redshifted from 395 to 474 nm by increasing the well thickness from 1.3 to 5.4 nm, as demonstrated by cathodoluminescence measurements. However, the redshift of the absorption edge is much less pronounced in absorption: in thicker wells, transitions to higher energy levels dominate. Besides, partial strain relaxation in thicker wells leads to the formation of defects, hence degrading the overall solar cell performance.
Log in to be able to interact and post comments
comments
Fetching comments
Sign in to be able to follow your search criteria
