Effects of Temperature on I-V Characteristics of InAs/GaAs Quantum-Dot Solar Cells

Abstract:

The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of quantum-dot (QD) solar cells under illumination at various temperatures are presented. Stacked of high-density self-assembled InAs/GaAs QDs were incorporated into the Schottky-barrier-type solar cell structure. The I-V characteristics reveal that both short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage of the QD solar cell reduce when the measurement temperature increases. This result is unexpected and inconsistent with a basic solar cell theory where the temperature is believed to cause the enhancement of the short-circuit current. By considering the solar-cell circuit model, we can explain the obtained I-V curves by a high series resistance of the cell structure. Theoretical exclusion of the series resistance shows a substantial improvement of solar cell fill factor and efficiency. This work therefore suggests that reduction of series resistance by properly doping of the epitaxial layers can improve these devices.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 1103)
• Pages: 129-135
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.1103.129
• Online since: May 2015
• Authors: Saichon Sriphan*, Suwit Kiravittaya, Supachok Thainoi, Somsak Panyakaew
• Keywords: Current-voltage characteristics, Nanostructure, Quantum Dot Solar Cell

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