High performance, high bandgap, lattice-mismatched, GaInP solar cells

摘要

High performance, high bandgap, lattice-mismatched, photovoltaic cells (10), both transparent and non-transparent to sub-bandgap light, are provided as devices for use alone or in combination with other cells in split spectrum apparatus or other applications.

主权项

1. A photovoltaic converter comprising:
a photovoltaic cell comprising GaInP having a bandgap greater than about 1.9 eV, wherein the photovoltaic cell has a junction and is lattice-mismatched to a parent substrate; and a graded layer positioned between the parent substrate and the photovoltaic cell, wherein: the parent substrate comprises GaAs, the graded layer has a lattice constant that changes from a first lattice constant in a first portion closest to the parent substrate to a second lattice constant in a second portion closest to the photovoltaic cell, such that the second lattice constant matches a relaxed lattice constant of the photovoltaic cell, the photovoltaic cell includes an emitter on a front side of the junction and a base on a back side of the junction, and the photovoltaic converter further comprises: (i) a double heterostructure comprising a back surface confinement layer on the base and a passivation/window layer on the emitter; (ii) a front contact layer comprising doped GaAsP between a metal grid and the passivation/window layer; (iii) an anti-reflection coating on the passivation/window layer between contacts of the front contact layer; and (iv) a back contact layer comprising doped GaAsP on the back surface confinement layer.