Performance and optimization of monochromatic p/n heteroface AlGaAs/GaAs photovoltaic cells

The purpose of this work is the optimization of the monochromatic p/n heteroface GaAs photovoltaic cell structure and the theoretical prediction of its performance under general conditions at 100 mW cm(-2) optical incident power. To better understand the monochromatic photovoltaic conversion an analysis of the efficiency as a function of the emitter thickness, base thickness, emitter doping and base doping win be carried out. The best wavelength (from the highest efficiency point of view) is 830 nm at which the optimized structure gives an efficiency of 54.3%. A comparison of the monochromatic photovoltaic conversion cell with respect to the solar one will be also developed. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science Ltd.