Strategies for Thinning Graded Buffer Regions in Metamorphic Solar Cells and Performance Tradeoffs

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

4 Scopus Citations

Abstract

Compositionally graded buffers (CGBs) have enabled the development of inverted metamorphic multijunction solar cells that contain three or more junctions and exhibit record efficiencies. Typically, the CGB is grown thick with a constant strain grading rate, because that is the most straightforward way to minimize the threading dislocation density (TDD) in device active regions. The CGB growth represents a significant expense, in terms of materials consumption and capital cost, however, hampering the economic viability of metamorphic devices. This work explores strategies for thinning Ga1- xInxP CGBs from GaAs to InP while minimizing performance loss, as evaluated by the open-circuit voltage ( V-{{\text{OC}}}) of ∼0.74 eV Ga0.47In0.53As solar cells. Using the Ga1- xInxP CGB as a model, we demonstrate that slower grading is necessary in certain regions of the grade where dislocation nucleation rates are higher. Grading must be more gradual in these regions to suppress TDD. Grading rates can be increased in noncritical areas where dislocation nucleation is lower, permitting a thinner buffer. We demonstrate the relationship between VOC and TDD, establishing tradeoffs between thickness and performance. Through careful design, we demonstrate a CGB with a 40% thickness reduction (2 μm) achieved with a voc decrease of only 7.5% (25 mV).

Original languageAmerican English
Article number8400419
Pages (from-to)1349-1354
Number of pages6
JournalIEEE Journal of Photovoltaics
Volume8
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2018

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2011-2012 IEEE.

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-5900-70796

Keywords

  • gallium arsenide
  • III-V semiconductor materials
  • indium phosphide
  • lattices
  • photovoltaic cells
  • strain
  • switches

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Strategies for Thinning Graded Buffer Regions in Metamorphic Solar Cells and Performance Tradeoffs'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this