Modeling of Λ-graded InxGa1−xN solar cells: comparison of strained and relaxed features

Abstract

The optical properties of Λ-graded indium gallium nitride (InGaN) solar cells are studied. Graded InGaN well structures with the indium composition increasing to xmax and then decreasing in a Λ-shaped pattern have been designed. Through polarization doping, this naturally creates alternating p- and n-type regions. Separate structures are designed by varying the indium alloy profile from GaN to maximum indium concentrations ranging from 20% to 90%, while maintaining a constant overall structure thickness of 100 nm. The solar cell parameters under fully strained and relaxed conditions are considered. The results show that a maximum efficiency of ≅5.5 % under fully strained condition occurs for xmax = 60 % . Solar cell efficiency under relaxed conditions increases to a maximum of 8.3% for xmax = 90 % . Vegard’s law predicts the bandgap under relaxed conditions, whereas a Vegard-like law is empirically determined from the output of nextnano™ for varying indium compositions to calculate the solar cell parameters under strain.