Numerical Optimization of Tunnel-recombination Junction and Optical Absorption Properties of a-Si:H/a-SiGe:H Double-junction Solar Cell

The tunnel-recombination junction(TRJ) and optical absorption properties of a-Si:H/a-Si Ge:H double-junction solar cell were calculated by means of one dimensional simulator named AMPS-1D at the radiation of AM1.5G with a power density of 100 m W/cm2. Since the TRJ is the core component of the tandem solar cell, the optical absorption of the sub-cells and the electronic transport properties at the interface of the sub-cells are affected by the thickness and doping concentration of the TRJ. As a result, the TRJ parameters were optimized. The numerical results indicate that the maximum conversion efficiency(Eff) of 9.862% can be obtained when the thickness and doping concentration of the TRJ are 10 nm and 5*1019 cm–3, respectively. Based on the analysis of the contour map of short circuit current density, the optimal current matching can be achieved for 130 nm-thick top i-layer and 250 nm-thick bottom i-layer. In addition, four kinds of TRJ structures were also simulated for the comparison purpose. According to the calculated resistivity and band structures of the four TRJs, the efficiency of the solar cell with n-type μc-Si:H layer and p-type a-Si:H layer in TRJ structure is greater than that with other TRJ structures. It is assumed that the effect of the band offset that results in the formation of triangular barrier and backscattering behavior at the edge of the TRJ could be responsible to this phenomenon.