Effects of buffer layers and front electrode angles on the performance of In0.16Ga0.84As solar cells

Abstract

Three buffer layers, that included 2-step, step-graded, and linear-graded layers, were designed to improve the performance of In0.16Ga0.84As solar cell. The In0.16Ga0.84As solar cells fabricated on these three buffer layers were denoted as 2S-cell, S-cell, and L-cell, respectively. The efficiencies of these three devices were 9.8%, 14.4%, and 16.3%, respectively. Obviously, the linear-graded buffer layer is most helpful to enhance the efficiency of In0.16Ga0.84As solar cell. Additionally, the front electrode angle of In0.16Ga0.84As solar cell was varied from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. When the angles were fixed at 0 degrees and 90 degrees, the devices possessed higher efficiencies of 16.3% and 16.6%, respectively.