Bill McMahon
1990 …2025

Research Activity per Year

Overview

Personal Profile

Bill McMahon has conducted research at NREL for more than 25 years.  During this time, he has performed foundational research on a wide range of topics impacting the growth, fabrication, and performance of high-efficiency III‑V solar cells. As a postdoctoral researcher, he studied the atomic structure of MOCVD-prepared semiconductor surfaces used in III‑V growth on silicon and germanium surfaces.  His research into the atomic structure of dislocations explained how ordering of III-V alloys can increase the glide force on dislocations, impacting the growth of lattice-mismatched solar cells.  He has also led investigations into cell bonding, nano-imprinted optical coatings, distributed resistance modeling of 3-D current flow in multijunction solar cells, and energy-yield measurement and modeling. 

Research Interests

Developing foundational knowledge for the design, characterization and measurement of three-terminal solar cells and voltage-matched strings

Using a fundamental understanding of dislocation formation in coalescing materials to direct projects investigating III-V growth on inexpensive and reusable substrates

 

Education/Academic Qualification

Bachelor, Engineering Physics, Colorado School of Mines

PhD, Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Master, Physics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics where Bill McMahon is active. These topic labels come from the works of this person. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
  • 1 Similar Profiles

Collaborations and Top Research Areas From the Past 5 Years

Recent external collaboration on country/territory level. Dive into details by clicking on the dots or