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

Three buffer layers, that included 2-step, step-graded, and linear-graded layers, were designed to improve the performance of In 0.16 Ga 0.84 As solar cell. The In 016 Ga 084 As 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 In 0.16 Ga 0.84 As solar cell was varied from 0° to 90°. When the angles were fixed at 0° and 90°, the devices possessed higher efficiencies of 16.3% and 16.6%, respectively.