Investigation of Single Energy GaP Solar Cell Material

Abstract

Emphasis was placed on forming p-type layers on n-type zone leveled CdTe by vapor diffusion in the recently acquired multiple zone fabrication furnace. Low temperature diffusion fabrication studies were emphasized and it is shown that shallow and deep junctions can be formed at 500 C. Electrical, thermal and optical studies of the n-type base material, and spectral response curves of the completed solar cells are included. Combined optical transmission and spectral response curves show that the absorption coefficient versus wavelength has a slope similar to silicon rather than to GaAs or InP which is favorable. Low temperature fabrication is shown to be possible and is advanced as an argument for CdTe since less fabrication disorder is expected compared to high temperature fabrication. However, the room temperature conversion efficiencies of current CdTe solar cells are still low compared to silicon, but the still early state of the art of CdTe is stressed. Preliminary high temperature photovoltaic experiments tend to confirm the use of CdTe compared to silicon.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 30, 1961
Accession Number
AD0263861

Entities

People

  • Robert J. Robinson

Organizations

  • IIT Research Institute

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Chemical Synthesis
  • Chemistry
  • Compound Semiconductors
  • Contracts
  • Controlled Atmospheres
  • Electronic Components
  • Electronics
  • Electronics Laboratories
  • Energy
  • Energy Bands
  • Energy Gaps
  • Fabrication
  • Materials
  • Measurement
  • Semiconductor Devices
  • Semiconductors
  • Solid State Physics

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Semiconductor Device Technology
  • Spectroscopy.
  • Theoretical Analysis.