III-nitride core-shell nanowire arrayed solar cells

Technical Report · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/1051734· OSTI ID:1051734

Wierer Jr., Jonathan J. ^[1]; Li, Qiming ^[1]; Koleske, Daniel David ^[1]; Lee, Stephen Roger ^[1]; Wang, George T. ^[1]

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1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

A solar cell based on a III-nitride hybrid nanowire-film architecture is demonstrated. It consists of a vertically-aligned array of InGaN/GaN multi-quantum well core-shell nanowires, electrically connected by a coalesced p-type InGaN canopy layer. This hybrid structure allows for standard planar device processing, solving an important challenge with nanowire device integration. It also enables various advantages such as higher indium composition InGaN layers via elastic strain relief, efficient carrier collection through thin layers, and enhanced light trapping. This proof-of-concept nanowire-based device presents a path forward for high-efficiency III-nitride solar cells. Fabricated III-nitride nanowire solar cells exhibit a photoresponse out to 2.1eV and short circuit current density of ~1 mA/cm² (1 sun AM1.5G).

• Research Organization: Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-94AL85000
• OSTI ID: 1051734
• Report Number(s): SAND--2012-7548
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English