Nonlinear effects in modeling thin-film graded-bandgap solar cells

Faiz Ahmad, Benjamin J. Civiletti, Akhlesh Lakhtakia, Peter B. Monk

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

We model the effect of concentrated sunlight on CIGS thin-film graded-bandgap solar cells using an optoelectronic numerical model. For this purpose it is necessary first to solve the time-harmonic Maxwell equations to compute the electric field in the device due to sunlight and so obtain the electron-hole-pair generation rate. The generation rate is then used as input to a drift-diffusion model governing the flow of electrons and holes in the semiconductor components that predicts the current generated. The optical submodel is linear; however, the electrical submodel is nonlinear. Because the Shockley-Read-Hall contribution to the electron-hole recombination rate increases almost linearly at high electron/hole densities, the efficiency of the solar cell can improve with sunlight concentration. This is illustrated via a numerical study.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationActive Photonic Platforms 2022
EditorsGanapathi S. Subramania, Stavroula Foteinopoulou
PublisherSPIE
ISBN (Electronic)9781510653764
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
EventActive Photonic Platforms 2022 - San Diego, United States
Duration: Aug 21 2022Aug 25 2022

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume12196
ISSN (Print)0277-786X
ISSN (Electronic)1996-756X

Conference

ConferenceActive Photonic Platforms 2022
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego
Period8/21/228/25/22

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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