Multijunction Solar Cell Iso-Junction Dark Current Study

Abstract

Single-crystal multijunction solar cells show great promise for achieving 30-40% conversion efficiency under air mass zero (AM0) conditions, and have been identified as an enabling technology for next-generation government and commercial satellites. In this note we report on an approach to better understand the dark current-voltage (I-V) behavior in multijunction solar cells and it's effect on conversion efficiency. This technique is based on determining the impact of dark-current behavior within individual p-n junctions on monolithic triple-junction GaInP 2/GaAs/Ge solar cell performance. The GaInP2/GaAs/Ge tandem solar cells used in this study were developed, in part, under the U.S. Air Force's Manufacturing Technology (ManTech) Program and exhibited measured efficiencies of 24-25% (AM0).

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Sep 01, 2000
Accession Number
ADA433553

Entities

People

  • Brendan P. Lewis
  • Clay S. Mayberry
  • Kitt C. Reinhardt
  • Theodore L. Kreifels

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Air Masses
  • Artificial Satellites
  • Cells
  • Conversion
  • Efficiency
  • Governments
  • Information Operations
  • P-N Junctions
  • Single Crystals
  • Solar Cells
  • Specialists
  • Standards

Fields of Study

  • Materials science

Readers

  • Defense Technology Research and Development.
  • Semiconductor Device Technology
  • Solar Photovoltaics and Thermoelectric Devices.

Technology Areas

  • Space