Quantum well solar cells

Publication Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

4-1997

Abstract

In this paper we discuss the potential advantages of quantum wells (QWs) for enhancing solar cell efficiency. We present recent experimental results which show that the open-circuit voltage (V-oc) of the quantum well solar cell (QWSC) is enhanced over that of comparable conventional cells formed from the well material, by more than the change in the absorption edge. We also report on theoretical and experimental studies which seek to determine the quasi-Fermi level separation in quantum wells inside a p-i-n system in order to understand the voltage behaviour of QWSCs and to be able to estimate the efficiency enhancements which may be achieved in the radiative limit. We discuss QWSCs in the InP/InGaAs lattice matched system and present results which show that QWSCs in this deep well system have a better Variation of efficiency with temperature than conventional cells made from either the well or barrier material. This is important for applications involving concentrated sunlight. We also consider the advantages of quantum well cells in the area of thermophotovoltaics (TPV).

Discipline

Physical Sciences and Mathematics

Research Areas

Information Systems and Management

Publication

Applied Surface Science

Volume

113

First Page

722

Last Page

733

ISSN

0169-4332

Identifier

10.1016/S0169-4332(96)00876-8

Publisher

Elsevier

Additional URL

https://doi.org/10.1016/S0169-4332(96)00876-8

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