MULTIREGION UNIFORM-FIELD MODEL OF AMORPHOUS-SILICON SOLAR-CELLS

The field in the i-layer of an amorphous-silicon solar cell may be ass umed as uniform. We formulate the respective cell model without furthe r approximations in terms of a ''regional method''. The i-layer is sub divided for that purpose in many regions, and the regional solutions a n chained together. Some exemplary simulations are presented. The mode l is in particular suited to demonstrate snake-like low-forward-voltag e photocharacteristics, to be induced by near-surface excess carrier g eneration, as with blue illumination. Observed and simulated ''blue-sn ake'' characteristics are compared with each other. A snake indicates the transition from a bulk-recombination to a surface-recombination li mited current regime. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserv ed.