The GaAs solar cells with V-grooved emitters

Conference · Sun Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5582658

Bailey, S G; Fatemi, N; Wilt, D M; Landis, G A; Thomas, R D

Geometrically structured surfaces have become increasingly important to solar cell efficiency improvements and radiation tolerance. Gallium arsenide solar cells with a V-grooved front surface which demonstrate improved optical coupling and higher short-circuit current compared to planar cells were fabricated. GaAs homojunction cells were fabricated by organometallic chemical vapor deposition (OMCVD) on an n+ substrate. The V-grooves were formed on the surface with an anisotropic etch, and an n-type buffer and p-type emitter were grown by OMCVD, followed by ohmic contacts. Reflectivity measurements show significantly lower reflectance for the microgrooved cell compared to the planar structure. The short circuit current of the V-grooved solar cell is consistently higher than that of the planar controls.

• Research Organization: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Cleveland, OH (USA). Lewis Research Center
• OSTI ID: 5582658
• Report Number(s): N-89-26291; NASA-TM--102104; E--4870; NAS--1.15:102104; CONF-8910243--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
ABSORPTIVITY
ANTIREFLECTION COATINGS
CHEMICAL PREPARATION
COATINGS
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EFFICIENCY
ELECTRICAL FAULTS
EPITAXY
EQUIPMENT
ETCHING
GALLIUM ARSENIDE SOLAR CELLS
HOMOJUNCTIONS
JUNCTIONS
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
P-N JUNCTIONS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
QUANTUM EFFICIENCY
REFLECTIVITY
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SURFACE FINISHING
SURFACE PROPERTIES
SYNTHESIS
VAPOR DEPOSITED COATINGS