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Effects of Barrier Width on Spectral Response of Strained Layer Superlattices for High Efficiency Solar Cells

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 January 2011

Geoffrey K. Bradshaw ,
Conrad Zachary Carlin ,
Peter C. Colter ,
Jeffrey L. Harmon ,
Joshua P. Samberg  and
Salah M. Bedair
Geoffrey K. Bradshaw
Affiliation:
geoff.bradshaw@gmail.com, North Carolina State University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Conrad Zachary Carlin
Affiliation:
czcarlin@ncsu.edu
Peter C. Colter
Affiliation:
pccolter@ncsu.edu, North Carolina State University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Jeffrey L. Harmon
Affiliation:
jlharmon@ncsu.edu, North Carolina State University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Joshua P. Samberg
Affiliation:
joshsamberg@gmail.com, North Carolina State University, Materials Science and Engineering, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Salah M. Bedair
Affiliation:
bedair@ncsu.edu, North Carolina State University, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
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Abstract

Characteristics of strained layer superlattices (SLS) consisting of alternating layers InxGa1-xAs and GaAs1-yPy are examined for use in high efficiency solar cells. The effects of SLS quantum barrier widths on tunneling probability and short circuit current are discussed through analysis of J-V and spectral response measurements. Results indicate a threshold barrier thickness for which tunneling effects are deleterious. Effect of the number of SLS periods incorporated into a p-i-n structure and maximum number of periods are presented through spectral response and CV analysis. It is demonstrated that SLS show increasing responsivity with increasing number of periods due to higher absorption. CV analysis is performed to determine zero bias depletion widths for verifying appropriate number of SLS periods and fully depleted SLS region.

Keywords

photovoltaicbarrier layerelectrical properties
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1211: Symposium R – Advanced Nanostructured Solar Cells , 2009 , 1211-R02-08
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2010

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