Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College,...
-
Upload
hannah-paul -
Category
Documents
-
view
214 -
download
0
Transcript of Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College,...
![Page 1: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/1.jpg)
Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling
Observation
Tim GfroererDavidson College, Davidson, NC
with Mark WanlassNational Renewable Energy Lab, CO
~ Supported by Bechtel Bettis, Inc. and the American Chemical Society – Petroleum Research
Fund ~
![Page 2: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/2.jpg)
Experiments by . . .
Kiril Simov (Davidson ’05)
Patten Priestley (Davidson ’03)and Malu Fairley (Spelman ’03)
![Page 3: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/3.jpg)
Outline
• Semiconductors, defects, and solar cells• Diode capacitance and the DLTS
experiment• Our measurements and an unusual result• A new model for minority carrier
trapping/escape during DLTS
![Page 4: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/4.jpg)
Semiconductors
PeriodicPotentialPhyslet
r
V(r) Energy levels
Spacing decreasing
n=3
n=2
n=1
a
a
--
f ree atoms atomic crystal
![Page 5: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/5.jpg)
5.6 5.7 5.8 5.9 6.0 6.10.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1.0
1.2
1.4
1.6
I nAs
GaAs
SevereMismatch
InPSubstrate
Band
gap
(eV)
Lattice parameter (Angstroms)
InGaAs Bandgap vs. Alloy Composition
Bandgapvs. LatticePhyslet
![Page 6: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/6.jpg)
Semiconductor Defects
Lattice-Mismatch Applet
Defect Level Physlet(from the forthcoming Physlet Quantum Physics: An Interactive Introduction to Quantum Theory
by Mario Belloni et al., due out this Fall
![Page 7: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/7.jpg)
Solar Cell Operation
Conduction Band
Valence Band
PHOTONEN
ER
GY
ELECTRON
E-Field
E-Field
HOLE
E-Field
E-Field
+ +
++
---
-
-
CURRENT
ABSORPTION
When a photon is absorbed, an electron is excited into the conduction band, leaving a hole behind in the valence band. An internal electric field sweeps the electrons and holes away, creating electricity.
![Page 8: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/8.jpg)
Defect-Related Trappingand Recombination
Conduction Band
Valence Band
EN
ER
GY Defect Level
-
+
PHONONS
PHONONS
But electrons can recombine with holes by hopping through defect levels and releasing phonons (heat). This loss mechanism reduces the efficiency of a solar cell.
![Page 9: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/9.jpg)
Defect-Related Transition Probabilities
P ~ 10-
3
P ~ (0.5)10 ~ 10-3
P ~ 10-5
P ~ 10-1
P ~ (0.5)16 ~ 10-5
P ~ (0.5)4 ~ 10-1
The probability P of transitions involving phonon emission depends on the number of phonons required, which is determined by the position of the defect level in the gap.
-
+ + +
- -
![Page 10: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/10.jpg)
p/n Junction Formation
NP+
++
+++++++
+
--
- -
-
+++++++
+++++
Depletion Layer
+-
+
+
-
-
+
+
+
-
-
-
+
+
+
-
-
-
+
![Page 11: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/11.jpg)
Bias-Dependent Depletion
+
+-
- NP+
++
+++++++
+
-
-
-
+++++++
+++++
Depletion Layer
+-
+-
- +
+
+
-
-
+ -
-
With Bias
![Page 12: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/12.jpg)
Diode Capacitance
No bias
Reverse bias
d1 Vbuilt-in
Vbuilt-in+Vapplied
d2
C = Q/V
~ 0A/d
Reverse bias increases the separation between the layers where free charge is added or taken away.
EN
ER
GY
![Page 13: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/13.jpg)
Defect characterization via DLTS
+
+-
- NP+
++
+++++++
+
-
-
-
+++++++
+++++
Depletion Layer With Bias
+-
+-
- +
+
+
-
-
+
Temporary Reduced Bias
Depletion Layer With Bias
Depletion Layer With Bias
-
-
+
+ -
-
Temporary Reduced Bias
+
+
![Page 14: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/14.jpg)
Typical DLTS Measurements
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
e-6
e-5
e-4
e-3
e-2
e-1
e0
T = 200K T = 180K T = 160K T = 140K
Capaci
tance
Change (
a.u
.)
Time (ms)
Pulsetowardzerobias
Return to steady-state reverse bias
free carriers
trapped carriers
![Page 15: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/15.jpg)
DLTS Experimental Setup
Computer with LabVIEW
Temp Controller
Pulse GeneratorCryostat with sample
Digital Scope(Tektronix)
(1)(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)
Oxford77K
Agilent
Capacitance meter (Boonton)
![Page 16: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/16.jpg)
Device Structure and Band Diagram
m (S) InP N = 3x10 cmD
18 -3
0.1 m (S) InP N = 1x10 cmD
19 -3
0.5 m (S) In Ga As N = 3x10 cm
0.53 0.47
D
16 -3
0.05 m (Zn) In Ga As N = 1x10 cm
0.53 0.47
A
19 -3
0.05 m (Zn) InP N = 2x10 cmA
18 -3
0.05 m (Zn) In Ga As N = 1x10 cm
0.53 0.47
A
19 -3
{ + + + - -- -+
Quasi EF,n
Conduction band
Valence bandp+/n Junction
-Quasi EF,p
Energy
Position
Depletionregion
W
![Page 17: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/17.jpg)
Transient Capacitance: Escape
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5
e-8
e-6
e-4
e-2
Steady-State Bias = -1.1VPulse = +0.1V
Cap
acita
nce
Cha
nge
(a.u
.)
Time (ms)
T = 130K T = 140K T = 145K T = 150K T = 160K
70 80 90 100e2
e4
e6
e8
e10
e12
esc
= 110 s
and SS Bias = -0.1Vand SS Bias = -1.1Vand SS Bias = -2.1V
Average Ea = 0.29 eV
Esc
ape
Rat
e (
s-1)
1 / kT (eV-1)
Pulse = +0.1V relative to SS
![Page 18: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/18.jpg)
Filling Pulse Dependence: Capture
-200 0 200 400 600 800
e-7
e-6
e-5
e-4
e-3
e-2
e-1
T = 77K
Pulse Length: 10 s 30 s 100 s 200 s
Ca
pa
cita
nce
Ch
an
ge
(a
.u.)
Time (s)0 200 400 600
e-8
e-7
e-6
e-5
e-4
e-3
e-2
cap
= 113 +/- 2 s
Steady-State bias = -0.3VPulse: +0.2V (relative to SS)
C0 -
C
trap
s (a.
u.)
Pulse Length (s)
T = 77K
![Page 19: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/19.jpg)
Proposed Model
+ + + - -- -+
Quasi EF,n
Conduction band
Valence band
Traps
p+/n Junction
-Quasi EF,p
Energy
Position
Depletionregion
d
W
![Page 20: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/20.jpg)
Testing the Model
0.0 0.2 0.4 0.6e-10
e-8
e-6
e-4
e-2
Cap
acita
nce
chan
ge
C0
(a.u
.)
Time (ms)
Bias = -0.1V Bias = -1.1V Bias = -2.1V Bias = -3.1V
Pulse = +0.1VT = 77K
0 1 2 3
e-1
e0
e1
e2
e3
d W C
0 (a.u.)
Thi
ckne
ss (
nm)
Reverse Bias (V)
![Page 21: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/21.jpg)
Variable-Bandgap Lattice-Mismatched Stuctures
Undoped InAsyP1-y, 30 nm
Undoped InxGa1-xAs, 1.5 μm
Undoped InAsyP1-y buffer, 1 μm
Undoped InAsyP1-y step-grade region:0.3 μm/step (~ -0.2% LMM/step), n
steps
Undoped InP substrate
![Page 22: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/22.jpg)
Radiative Recombination
Conduction Band
Valence Band
PHOTON
EN
ER
GY
-
+
light in = heat + light out
radiative efficiency = light out / light in
heatlight in
light out
![Page 23: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/23.jpg)
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6100
104
108
1012
1016
Den
sity
of S
tate
s (c
m-3eV
-1)
Energy (eV)
Defect-Related Density of States
Valence Band
Conduction Band
EN
ER
GY
The distribution of defect levels within the bandgap can be represented by a density of states (DOS) function as shown above.
![Page 24: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/24.jpg)
0
20
40
60
80
100
EV
EC
Energy
Log(
DO
S)
Eg = 0.80 eV
10231019 1021 1025
Ra
dia
tive
Eff
icie
ncy
(%
)
e-h Pair Generation and Recombination (cm-3s-1)
Radiative Efficiency Measurements
heat
light
1018 1020 1022 1024
0
20
40
60
80
100
EC
EV
EC
EV
Eg = 0.68 eV
Energy
Log(
DO
S)
Energy
Log(
DO
S)
Ra
dia
tive
Eff
icie
ncy
(%
)
e-h Pair Generation and Recombination (cm-3s-1)
![Page 25: Solar Cells, Sluggish Capacitance, and a Puzzling Observation Tim Gfroerer Davidson College, Davidson, NC with Mark Wanlass National Renewable Energy Lab,](https://reader035.fdocuments.in/reader035/viewer/2022070417/56649e395503460f94b2abf0/html5/thumbnails/25.jpg)
Four Conclusions• 0.29eV hole trap is observed in n-type
InGaAs under reverse bias• Temperature-dependent capture and
escape rates are symmetrical• Rates level off at cold temperatures due to
tunneling• Device modeling points to defect states
near the p+/n junction
Two References• T.H. Gfroerer et al., APL 80, 4570 (2003).• T.H. Gfroerer et al., IPRM (2005).