Fabrication of lattice mismatched multijunction photovoltaic cells using 3D integration concepts

We present the experimental procedure to create lattice mismatched multijunction photovoltaic (PV) cells using 3D integration concepts. Lattice mismatched multijunction photovoltaic (PV) cells with decoupled electrical outputs could achieve higher efficiencies than current-matched monolithic devices. Growing lattice mismatched materials as a monolithic structure generates defects and decreases performance. We propose using methods from the integrated circuits and microsystems arena to produce the PV cell. The fabricated device consists of an ultrathin (6 μm) series connected InGaP/GaAs PV cell mechanically stacked on top of an electrically independent silicon cell. The InGaP/GaAs PV cell was processed to produce a small cell (750 μm) with back-contacts where all of the contacts sit at the same level. The dual junction and the silicon (c-Si) cell are electrically decoupled and the power from both cells is accessible through pads on the c-Si PV cell. Through this approach, we were able to fabricate a functional double junction PV cell mechanically attached to a c-Si PV cell with independent connections. © 2012 IEEE.