Comprehensive silicon solar cell computer modeling. Quarterly progress report No. 1, January 5, 1984-April 4, 1984

The general method to solve the transport equations for a solar cell is discussed. To obtain an accurate representation of a physical system, the system geometry is divided into a number of segments (mesh points). In a one-dimensional geometry, the segments are defined by a series of parallel planes. The separation of the planes defining the segments determines the simulation accuracy. The segments may be taken as thin as required to obtain the accuracy desired. The transport equations, governing the behavior of the physical system, are applied to each segment, and a closed-form solution is obtained in each of the segments. A brief discussion is presented of some of the phenomena submodels in the model and the representations used in the simulation program. The submodels cover such phenomena as mobility, diffusivities, boundary conditions at depletion region edges and those imposed at the mesh points, bandgap narrowing and intrinsic concentration, carrier lifetime, induced surface electric field, and built-in fields. (LEW)