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A high efficiency dual-junction solar cell implemented as a nanowire array

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Abstract

In this work, we present an innovative design of a dual-junction nanowire array solar cell. Using a dual-diameter nanowire structure, the solar spectrum is separated and absorbed in the core wire and the shell wire with respect to the wavelength. This solar cell provides high optical absorptivity over the entire spectrum due to an electromagnetic concentration effect. Microscopic simulations were performed in a three-dimensional setup, and the optical properties of the structure were evaluated by solving Maxwell’s equations. The Shockley-Queisser method was employed to calculate the current-voltage relationship of the dual-junction structure. Proper design of the geometrical and material parameters leads to an efficiency of 39.1%.

© 2012 Optical Society of America

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Figures (4)

Fig. 1
Fig. 1 Dual-diameter nanowire array solar cell structure. Geometrical parameters are noted in the picture: a is the array pitch, d and D are the respective diameters of core and shell nanowire, h and H are the respective heights of core and shell nanowire. (a): Dual-diameter nanowire array. (b): Single wire structure: blue region is the core nanowire with a small diameter and a large bandgap (Eg_c), red region is the shell nanowire with a large diameter and a small band gap (Eg_s), yellow region is the substrate (Eg_sub). (c) Radially arranged dual-junction structure, the contacts for core and shell junctions are noted.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2 Normalized optical absorptivity of dual-diameter nanowire array solar cell. The short wavelength spectrum (λ <= 800 nm) is absorbed in the core nanowire with absorptivity above 90%. The long wavelength spectrum is absorbed in the shell nanowire. The band gap positions are noted with arrows in the figure.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3 Optical generation localization under different wavelength illumination. (a): 500 nm wavelength, the optical generation is localized in core nanowire. (b): 1040 nm wavelength, the optical generation is localized in shell nanowire. (c): Radial distribution of optical generation at 500 nm wavelength, generation localized in core nanowire. (d): Radial distribution of optical generation at 1040 nm wavelength, generation localized in shell nanowire.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4 Current-voltage relationship of dual-diameter nanowire array solar cell evaluated by detailed balance limit calculation. For the output of dual-junction solar cell, Jsc is 229.2 A/m2, and Voc is 1.92 V. The maximum cell efficiency is 39.1%

Equations (5)

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a ( r , λ ) = P abs ( r , λ ) / P A M 1.5 D ( λ )
g ( r , λ ) = a ( r , λ ) P A M 1.5 D ( λ ) λ / h c
I = I s c I 0 ( exp V / V c 1 )
V c = k B T c q
I s c = q Vol 0 g ( r , λ ) d r d λ
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