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GaAs converters for high power densities of laser illumination
Author(s) -
Oliva E.,
Dimroth F.,
Bett A. W.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
progress in photovoltaics: research and applications
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.286
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1099-159X
pISSN - 1062-7995
DOI - 10.1002/pip.811
Subject(s) - converters , energy conversion efficiency , materials science , monochromatic color , laser , optoelectronics , photovoltaic system , optics , equivalent series resistance , power (physics) , power density , laser power scaling , electrode , maximum power principle , electrical engineering , voltage , physics , engineering , quantum mechanics
Photovoltaic power converters can be used to generate electricity directly from laser light. In this paper we report the development of GaAs PV power converters with improved conversion efficiency at high power densities. The incorporation of a lateral conduction layer (LCL) on top of the window layer resulted in a considerable gain in efficiency at high illumination levels. Additional performance improvements were obtained by using a metal electrode grid design and antireflection coating optimised for monochromatic and inhomogeneous laser light. Maximum monochromatic (810 nm) optical‐to‐electrical conversion efficiency of 54·9% at 36·5 W/cm 2 has been achieved. The characteristics of laser power converters with p/n and n/p polarity are discussed in this paper. Moreover, different materials and doping levels were applied in the LCL. The performance of these different device structures at high laser intensity is presented and discussed. It is shown that the lateral series resistance of the cell has a major impact on the overall device performance. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.