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Enhanced conversion efficiency in wide-bandgap GaNP solar cells

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4933317· OSTI ID:1236231
 [1];  [1];  [1];  [1];  [2];  [1];  [1]
  1. Univ. of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA (United States)
  2. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)

In this study, we demonstrate –2.05 eV dilute nitride GaNP solar cells on GaP substrates for potential use as the top junction in dual-junction integrated cells on Si. By adding a small amount of N into indirect-bandgap GaP, GaNP has several extremely important attributes: a direct-bandgap that is also tunable, and easily attained lattice-match with Si. Our best GaNP solar cell ([N] –1.8%, Eg –2.05 eV) achieves an efficiency of 7.9%, even in the absence of a window layer. This GaNP solar cell's efficiency is 3× higher than the most efficient GaP solar cell to date and higher than other solar cells with similar direct bandgap (InGaP, GaAsP). Through a systematic study of the structural, electrical, and optical properties of the device, efficient broadband optical absorption and enhanced solar cell performance are demonstrated.

Research Organization:
Sandia National Laboratories (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
Grant/Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
1236231
Alternate ID(s):
OSTI ID: 1420525
Report Number(s):
SAND--2015-6907J; 599097
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 15 Vol. 107; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher:
American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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Cited By (2)

Radial direct bandgap p-i-n GaNP microwire solar cells with enhanced short circuit current journal August 2016
Effect of rapid thermal annealing on the electrical properties of dilute GaAsPN based diodes journal September 2019

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