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Thin‐film intermediate band photovoltaics: advanced concepts for chalcopyrite solar cells
Author(s) -
Marrón David Fuertes,
Martí Antonio,
Luque Antonio
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
physica status solidi (a)
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.532
H-Index - 104
eISSN - 1862-6319
pISSN - 1862-6300
DOI - 10.1002/pssa.200881202
Subject(s) - chalcopyrite , photovoltaics , impurity , optoelectronics , materials science , ideal (ethics) , thin film , photovoltaic system , nanotechnology , chemistry , copper , metallurgy , electrical engineering , engineering , political science , organic chemistry , law
We have studied the potential of thin‐film photovoltaic devices provided with an intermediate band (IB). Cu‐containing chalcopyrites appear as promising candidates, with maximum theoretical efficiencies above 45% under ideal conditions. This figure has been re‐evaluated by considering a number of non‐idealities, like optical and current losses and nonradiative recombination that affect current chalcopyrite‐based devices. Strategies for the practical implementation of IBs in chalcopyrite hosts will be discussed, including the incorporation of foreign impurities in the chalcopyrite structure at substitutional sites of the cation sublattice and the realisation of nanostructured devices. (© 2009 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)