Research on High-efficiency Thin-film Solar Cell using Quantum Effect

2017-0223-01
researcher's name
affiliation
research field
Electronic materials/Electric materials
keyword

background

● Much attention has been paid to solar cells to prevent global warming.
● It is necessary for these solar cells to increase their efficiency.
● The quantum effect of nanostructures is expected to enhance the solar cell efficiency.

summary

● There exists a bandgap energy suitable for a single-junction solar cell. 
● A superlattice structure (Fig. 2) produces a stable exciton (Fig. 3) using its quantum effect.
● A stable exciton absorbs solar light efficiently.

predominance

● An AlGaAs/GaAs/GaAsN superlattice is suitable for a single-junction solar cell.
● The light absorption efficiency is enhanced by an exciton in a superlattice.
● The superlattice structure is also suitable for a multi-junction solar cell.

application/development

● The AlGaAs/GaAs/GaAsN superlattice is thin enough to enhance a single-junction solar cell efficiency due to its exciton in the superlattice.
● This thin-film superlattice structure is also suitable for a multi-junction solar cell with a higher efficiency.　

material

  • Fig.1 : Shockley–Queisser limit
  • Fig.2 : AlGaAs/GaAs superlattice structure　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　Fig.3 : Exciton
  • Fig.4 : Calculation result of light absorption coefficient enhanced by exciton
posted: 2017/02/23