Effective Control of Auger Recombination in Silicon Solar Cell

Authors: Oduah UI

DOI Info: N/A

ABSTRACT

The efficiency of silicon solar cells is hindered by Auger recombination wherein the exciton recombination energy is transferred to a third charge carrier. Consequently, the lifetime of the circulating carriers and fill factor of the device are severely limited. This research explores the oscillatory theoretical dependence of the rate of Auger ionization on the shape of the nanocrystals and the value of the potential well surrounding it, to control the Auger recombination by modifying the nanocrystal surface and size. Numerical modeling and simulation were used to analyze recombination losses with due consideration to the generated carrier concentration, carrier transport and conservation. Optical and carrier recombination losses in all back-surface field and all local back surface field silicon wafer cells were investigated using various Auger parameterizations namely Altermatt, Kerr and Richter, with each implemented in Sentaurus TCAD. The overall efficiency of the silicon wafer solar cell improved from 18.7% to 20.25% at 315 K. This signifies an enhancement in the efficiency of the device by 8.3% of its initial value.

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