Modeling Multiple Quantum Well and Superlattice Solar Cells

The inability of a single-gap solar cell to absorb energies less than the band-gap energy is one of the intrinsic loss mechanisms which limit the conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices. New approaches to "ultra-high" efficiency solar cells include devices such as multiple quantum we...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Natural resources (Irvine, Calif.) Calif.), 2013, Vol.4 (3), p.235-245
Main Authors: Cabrera, Carlos I., Rimada, Julio C., Courel, Maykel, Hernandez, Luis, Connolly, James P., Enciso, Agustín, Contreras-Solorio, David A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Condensed Matter
Physics
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Summary:The inability of a single-gap solar cell to absorb energies less than the band-gap energy is one of the intrinsic loss mechanisms which limit the conversion efficiency in photovoltaic devices. New approaches to "ultra-high" efficiency solar cells include devices such as multiple quantum wells (QW) and superlattices (SL) systems in the intrinsic region of a p-i-n cell of wider band-gap energy (barrier or host) semiconductor. These configurations are intended to extend the absorption band beyond the single gap host cell semiconductor. A theoretical model has been developed to study the performance of the strain-balanced GaAsP/InGaAs/GaAs MQWSC, and GaAs/GaInNAs MQWSC or SLSC. Our re-sults show that conversion efficiencies can be reached which have never been obtained before for a single-junction solar cell.
ISSN:2158-706X
0165-0209
2158-7086
1477-8947
DOI:10.4236/nr.2013.43030