InGaN/GaN multiple quantum well-solar cells with different barrier thicknesses have been comparatively studied, and it is demonstrated that a thinner barrier facilitates the transport of photogenerated carriers. Meanwhile, an abnormal but regular staircase-like I-V curve is observed. The induction factors and microscopic physical process relevant to this abnormal feature are analyzed in detail, which is found closely related to the inadequate internal field and special epitaxial structure. Furthermore, the formation conditions of I-V curves with various types of inflections are also proposed. This work provides insight into the origin of device problems, which can be applicable to other types of solar cells.

1.
H.
Hamzaoui
,
A.
Bouazzi
, and
B.
Rezig
,
Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells
87
(
1–4
),
595
603
(
2005
).
2.
J.
Wu
,
J. Appl. Phys.
106
(
1
),
011101
(
2009
).
3.
J.
Wu
,
W.
Walukiewicz
,
K. M.
Yu
,
W.
Shan
,
J. W.
Ager
 III
,
E. E.
Haller
,
H.
Lu
,
W. J.
Schaff
,
W. K.
Metzger
, and
S.
Kurtz
,
J. Appl. Phys.
94
(
10
),
6477
6482
(
2003
).
4.
A.
De Vos
,
Energy Convers.
16
(
1–2
),
67
78
(
1976
).
5.
D.
Cherns
,
S.
Henley
, and
F.
Ponce
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
78
(
18
),
2691
2693
(
2001
).
6.
X. M.
Cai
,
S. W.
Zeng
, and
B. P.
Zhang
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
95
,
173504
(
2009
).
7.
R.
Dahal
,
B.
Pantha
,
J.
Li
,
J.
Lin
, and
H.
Jiang
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
94
,
063505
(
2009
).
8.
X. M.
Cai
,
Y.
Wang
,
B. H.
Chen
,
M. M.
Liang
,
W. J.
Liu
,
J. Y.
Zhang
,
X. Q.
Lv
,
L. Y.
Ying
, and
B. P.
Zhang
,
IEEE Photonics Technol. Lett.
25
(
1
),
59
62
(
2013
).
9.
W. Gö
tz
,
N.
Johnson
,
J.
Walker
,
D.
Bour
, and
R.
Street
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
68
,
667
(
1996
).
10.
R. R.
Lieten
,
V.
Motsnyi
,
L.
Zhang
,
K.
Cheng
,
M.
Leys
,
S.
Degroote
,
G.
Buchowicz
,
O.
Dubon
, and
G.
Borghs
,
J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.
44
(
13
),
135406
(
2011
).
11.
C. J.
Neufeld
,
S. C.
Cruz
,
R. M.
Farrell
,
M.
Iza
,
J. R.
Lang
,
S.
Keller
,
S.
Nakamura
,
S. P.
DenBaars
,
J. S.
Speck
, and
U. K.
Mishra
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
98
,
243507
(
2011
).
12.
R.
Dahal
,
J.
Li
,
K.
Aryal
,
J.
Lin
, and
H.
Jiang
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
97
,
073115
(
2010
).
13.
S.-B.
Choi
,
J.-P.
Shim
,
D.-M.
Kim
,
H.-I.
Jeong
,
Y.-D.
Jho
,
Y.-H.
Song
, and
D.-S.
Lee
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
103
(
3
),
033901
(
2013
).
14.
H.-W.
Wang
,
C.-C.
Hsieh
,
F.-I.
Lai
,
S.-H.
Lin
, and
H.-C.
Kuo
, in paper
presented at the 2013 IEEE 39th Photovoltaic Specialists Conference (PVSC)
,
2013
.
15.
Z. Q.
Li
,
M.
Lestradet
,
Y. G.
Xiao
, and
S.
Li
,
Phys. Status Solidi A
208
(
4
),
928
931
(
2011
).
16.
J.-Y.
Chang
and
Y.-K.
Kuo
,
IEEE Electron Device Lett.
32
(
7
),
937
939
(
2011
).
17.
Y.-C.
Yao
,
M.-T.
Tsai
,
C.-Y.
Huang
,
T.-Y.
Lin
,
J.-K.
Sheu
, and
Y.-J.
Lee
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
103
(
19
),
193503
(
2013
).
18.
C. A.
Fabien
and
W. A.
Doolittle
,
Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells
130
,
354
363
(
2014
).
19.
S.
Lee
,
Y.
Honda
, and
H.
Amano
,
J. Phys. D: Appl. Phys.
49
,
025103
(
2016
).
20.
M.
Sumiya
,
T.
Honda
,
L.
Sang
,
Y.
Nakano
,
K.
Watanabe
, and
F.
Hasegawa
,
Phys. Status Solidi A
212
(
5
),
1033
1038
(
2015
).
21.
X. M.
Cai
,
X. Q.
Lv
,
X. J.
Huang
,
X. L.
Wang
,
M. S.
Wang
,
L.
Yang
,
H. L.
Zhu
, and
B. P.
Zhang
,
Phys. Status Solidi A
215
,
1700581
(
2018
).
22.
J.
Wierer
,
D.
Koleske
, and
S.
Lee
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
100
(
11
),
111119
(
2012
).
23.
N.
Watanabe
,
H.
Yokoyama
,
N.
Shigekawa
,
K.
Sugita
, and
A.
Yamamoto
,
Jpn. J. Appl. Phys.
51
(
10
),
10ND10
(
2012
).
24.
R.
Luca
,
M.
Anna
,
A.
Akhil
,
N.-C.
Arántzazu
,
V.-F.
Sirona
,
B.
Joël
,
D.
Christophe
,
E.
Joël
, and
M.
Eva
,
Jpn. J. Appl. Phys.
54
(
7
),
072302
(
2015
).
25.
S.
Pereira
,
M. R.
Correia
,
E.
Pereira
,
C.
Trager-Cowan
,
F.
Sweeney
,
K. P.
O'Donnell
,
E.
Alves
,
N.
Franco
, and
A. D.
Sequeira
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
81
(
7
),
1207
1209
(
2002
).
26.
J.
Wierer
, Jr.
,
A.
Fischer
, and
D.
Koleske
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
96
,
051107
(
2010
).
27.
J.
Lang
,
N.
Young
,
R.
Farrell
,
Y. R.
Wu
, and
J.
Speck
,
Appl. Phys. Lett.
101
(
18
),
181105
(
2012
).
28.
A.
Luque
and
S.
Hegedus
,
Handbook of Photovoltaic Science and Engineering
(
Wiley
,
Chichester
,
2003
).
You do not currently have access to this content.