Study of InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot saturation level for the design of concentrated multi-junction solar cells

Olivier Thériault; Anthony J. SpringThorpe; Jeffrey F. Wheeldon; Christopher E. Valdivia; Alexandre Walker; Bruno J. Riel; Karin Hinzer

doi:10.1117/12.872892

22 September 2010 Study of InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot saturation level for the design of concentrated multi-junction solar cells

Olivier Thériault, Anthony J. SpringThorpe, Jeffrey F. Wheeldon, Christopher E. Valdivia, Alexandre Walker, Bruno J. Riel, Karin Hinzer

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 7750, Photonics North 2010; 77502T (2010) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.872892
Event: Photonics North 2010, 2010, Niagara Falls, Canada

Abstract

InAs quantum dots in a GaAs matrix are studied. Those quantum dots are used in applications to enhance the overall efficiency of multi-junction solar cells beyond 40%. Photoluminescence measurements at 77 K using a 532 nm laser have been performed on an epitaxially grown structure of self-assembled InAs quantum dots in a GaAs matrix upon a Ge substrate, where three energy levels are determined at E_n=0=1.01 eV, E_n=1=1.07 eV and E_n=2=1.13 eV. Theoretical calculations of the energy levels determine the quantum dots to be 7 nm high and have a 37 nm base diameter, which is close to atomic force microscopy measurements performed on the samples. Intensity dependant photoluminescence measurements reveal the saturation of the first excited energy level at 5×10⁶ W/m². A general model for the saturation of the first quantum dot excited energy level is then developed. This saturation model is applied to the AM1.5D solar spectrum at 297 K to determine the concentration of solar energy needed to saturate the first excited energy level within a multi-junction solar cell. Saturation was determined to be at ~1.56×10⁴ suns (where 1 sun = 1000 W/m²). Since current solar concentrations are between 500-1000 suns concentration, the saturation of such quantum dots will not occur.

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Olivier Thériault, Anthony J. SpringThorpe, Jeffrey F. Wheeldon, Christopher E. Valdivia, Alexandre Walker, Bruno J. Riel, and Karin Hinzer "Study of InGaAs/GaAs quantum dot saturation level for the design of concentrated multi-junction solar cells", Proc. SPIE 7750, Photonics North 2010, 77502T (22 September 2010); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.872892

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KEYWORDS

Quantum dots

Absorption

Gallium arsenide

Solar energy

Sun

Indium arsenide

Luminescence

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