High-voltage, low-current GaInP/GaInP/GaAs/GaInNAs/Ge solar cells

Richard King, P. C. Colter, D. E. Joslin, K. M. Edmondson, D. D. Krut, N. H. Karam, Sarah Kurtz

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Four-junction GaInP/GaAs/GaInNAs/Ge solar cells are a widely-pursued route toward AMO efficiencies of 35% and above, and terrestrial efficiencies of up to 40%. Extensive research into the new material system of GaInNAs has so far yielded subcells with AMO current densities far below the ∼17 mA/cm2 needed to current match the other subcells in the stack. A new multijunction structure, a 5-junction GaInP/GaInP/GaAs/GaInNAs/Ge cell, divides the solar spectrum more finely in order to relax this current matching requirement, by using an optically thin, high-bandgap Gainp top subcell, with an additional thick, low-bandgap Gainp subcell beneath it, in combination with a GaInNAs subcell. In this way, the 5-junction cell design allows the practical use of GaInNAs subcells to increase the efficiency of multijunction cells. Light I-V and external quantum efficiency measurements of the component subcells of such 5-junction cells are discussed. Experimental results are presented for the first time on GaInP/GaInP/GaAs/GaInNAs/Ge cells with the top four junctions active, with measured Voc of 3.90 V.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationConference Record of the IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
Pages852-855
Number of pages4
StatePublished - 2002
Externally publishedYes
Event29th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference - New Orleans, LA, United States
Duration: May 19 2002May 24 2002

Other

Other29th IEEE Photovoltaic Specialists Conference
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityNew Orleans, LA
Period5/19/025/24/02

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Condensed Matter Physics

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'High-voltage, low-current GaInP/GaInP/GaAs/GaInNAs/Ge solar cells'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this