Estimation of minority carrier diffusion lengths in InP/GaAs solar cells

Abstract

An attempt is made to estimate the minority carrier diffusion lengths in the emitter and base of InP/GaAs heteroepitaxial solar cells. The PC-1D computer model was used to simulate the measured cell results obtained under AM0-spectrum at 25 degrees C. A 16-nm hole diffusion length in the emitter and a 0.42- mu m electron diffusion length in the base gave good agreement with the I-V curve. The effect of varying minority carrier diffusion lengths on cell short-circuit current, open-circuit voltage, and efficiency was studied. It was also observed that the front surface recombination velocity has very little influence on the cell performance. Cell efficiency as a function of dislocation density was calculated, and the effect of improved emitter bulk properties on cell efficiency is presented.<>