Analysis on carrier energy relaxation in superlattices and its implications on the design of hot carrier solar cell absorbers

Y. Feng; P. Aliberti; R. J. Patterson; B. P. Veettil; S. Lin; H. Xia; S. Shrestha; M. A. Green; G. J. Conibeer

doi:10.1117/12.928459

15 October 2012 Analysis on carrier energy relaxation in superlattices and its implications on the design of hot carrier solar cell absorbers

Y. Feng, P. Aliberti, R. J. Patterson, B. P. Veettil, S. Lin, H. Xia, S. Shrestha, M. A. Green, G. J. Conibeer

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 8471, Next Generation (Nano) Photonic and Cell Technologies for Solar Energy Conversion III; 847103 (2012) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.928459
Event: SPIE Solar Energy + Technology, 2012, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Hot carrier solar cell (HCSC) requires a slow cooling rate of carriers in the absorber, which can potentially be fullled by semiconductor superlattices. In this paper the energy relaxation time of electrons in InN InxGa1-xN superlattices are computed with Monte Carlo simulations considering the multi-stage energy loss of electrons. As a result the effect of each stage in the relaxation process is revealed for superlattice absorbers. The energy relaxation rate figures are obtained for different material systems of the absorber, i.e. for different combinations of Indium compositions and the thicknesses of well and barrier layers in the superlattices. The optimum material system for the absorber has been suggested, with the potential to realize HCSCs with high efficiency.

Citation Download Citation

Y. Feng, P. Aliberti, R. J. Patterson, B. P. Veettil, S. Lin, H. Xia, S. Shrestha, M. A. Green, and G. J. Conibeer "Analysis on carrier energy relaxation in superlattices and its implications on the design of hot carrier solar cell absorbers", Proc. SPIE 8471, Next Generation (Nano) Photonic and Cell Technologies for Solar Energy Conversion III, 847103 (15 October 2012); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.928459

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available