Full Description
This introduction to the physics of silicon solar cells focuses on thin cells, while reviewing and discussing the current status of the important technology. An analysis of the spectral quantum efficiency of thin solar cells is given as well as a full set of analytical models. This is the first comprehensive treatment of light trapping techniques for the enhancement of the optical absorption in thin silicon films.
Contents
INTRODUCTION
PHYSICAL LOSS MECHANISMS
Limitations to photogeneration
Limitations to radiative recombination
Limitations by non-radiative recombination
ADVANCED QUANTUM EFFICIENCY ANALYSIS
Definition of effective diffusion lengths
Reciprocity theorem for charge carrier collection
Applications of the generalized reciprocity theorem
Limiting recombination parameters derived from LQ
Analytical quantum efficiency model for thin films
Differential and actual recombination parameters
TECHNOLOCIAL APPROACH TO THIN-FILM CELLS
High-temperature substrate (HTS) approach
Low-temperature substrate (LTS) approach
Layer-transfer process (LTP) approach
WAFFLE CELLS FROM THE POROUS SI (PSI) PROCESS
Expitaxy on porous Si
Module concepts
Optical absorption in Si waffles
Efficiency potential
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS
Physical limitations to power conversion
Revealing the limitations of experimental cells
Limitations of current thin-film approaches
Overcoming technological limitations with the porous Si (PSI) process
Updating Remark
APPENDICES
Light trapping
Recombination
Quantum efficiency
