Wafer Bonding and Layer Transfer Processes for High Efficiency Solar Cells

Conference · Thu May 01 00:00:00 EDT 2003 · NCPV and Solar Program Review Meeting Proceedings, 24-26 March 2003, Denver, Colorado (CD-ROM)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/PVSC.2002.1190783· OSTI ID:15006757

Zahler, J M; Fontcuberta i Morral, A; Ahn, C G; Atwater, H A; Wanlass, M W; Chu, C; Iles, P A

A wafer-bonded four-junction cell design consisting of InGaAs, InGaAsP, GaAs, and Ga0.5In0.5P subcells that could reach one-sun AM0 efficiencies of 35.4% is described. The design relies on wafer-bonding and layer transfer for integration of non-lattice-matched subcells. Wafer bonding and layer transfer processes have shown promise in the fabrication of InP/Si epitaxial templates for growth of the bottom InGaAs and InGaAsP subcells on a Si support substrate. Subsequent wafer bonding and layer transfer of a thin Ge layer onto the lower subcell stack can serve as an epitaxial template for GaAs and Ga0.5In0.5P subcells. Additionally, wafer bonded Ge/Si substrates offer the possibility to improve the mechanical performance of existing triple-junction solar cell designs, while simultaneously reducing their cost. Present results indicate that optically active III/V compound semiconductors can be grown on both Ge/Si and InP/Si heterostructures. Current-voltage electrical characterization of the interfaces of these structures indicates that both InP/Si and Ge/Si interfaces have specific resistances lower than 0.1 W?cm2 for heavily doped wafer bonded interfaces, enabling back surface power extraction from the finished cell structure.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO. (US)
• Sponsoring Organization: US Department of Energy (US)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-99GO10337
• OSTI ID: 15006757
• Report Number(s): NREL/CP-520-35642
• Resource Type: Conference paper/presentation
• Conference Information: Journal Name: NCPV and Solar Program Review Meeting Proceedings, 24-26 March 2003, Denver, Colorado (CD-ROM)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
BONDING
DESIGN
EFFICIENCY
FABRICATION
FOUR-JUNCTION CELLS
HIGH-EFFICIENCY SOLAR CELLS
LAYER TRANSFER
PERFORMANCE
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR ENERGY
SOLAR ENERGY - PHOTOVOLTAICS
SUBSTRATE
SUBSTRATES
WAFER BONDING