Advances with vertical epitaxial heterostructure architecture (VEHSA) phototransducers for optical to electrical power conversion efficiencies exceeding 50 percent

S. Fafard; F. Proulx; M. C. A. York; M. Wilkins; C. E. Valdivia; M. Bajcsy; D. Ban; A. Jaouad; B. Bouzazi; R. Arès; V. Aimez; K. Hinzer; D. P. Masson

doi:10.1117/12.2218486

14 March 2016 Advances with vertical epitaxial heterostructure architecture (VEHSA) phototransducers for optical to electrical power conversion efficiencies exceeding 50 percent

S. Fafard, F. Proulx, M. C. A. York, M. Wilkins, C. E. Valdivia, M. Bajcsy, D. Ban, A. Jaouad, B. Bouzazi, R. Arès, V. Aimez, K. Hinzer, D. P. Masson

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 9743, Physics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices V; 974304 (2016) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2218486
Event: SPIE OPTO, 2016, San Francisco, California, United States

Abstract

A monolithic compound semiconductor phototransducer optimized for narrow-band light sources was designed for and has achieved conversion efficiencies exceeding 50%. The III-V heterostructure was grown by MOCVD, based on the vertical stacking of a number of partially absorbing GaAs n/p junctions connected in series with tunnel junctions. The thicknesses of the p-type base layers of the diodes were engineered for optimal absorption and current matching for an optical input with wavelengths centered in the 830 nm to 850 nm range. The device architecture allows for improved open-circuit voltage in the individual base segments due to efficient carrier extraction while simultaneously maintaining a complete absorption of the input photons with no need for complicated fabrication processes or reflecting layers. Progress for device outputs achieving in excess of 12 V is reviewed in this study.

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S. Fafard, F. Proulx, M. C. A. York, M. Wilkins, C. E. Valdivia, M. Bajcsy, D. Ban, A. Jaouad, B. Bouzazi, R. Arès, V. Aimez, K. Hinzer, and D. P. Masson "Advances with vertical epitaxial heterostructure architecture (VEHSA) phototransducers for optical to electrical power conversion efficiencies exceeding 50 percent", Proc. SPIE 9743, Physics, Simulation, and Photonic Engineering of Photovoltaic Devices V, 974304 (14 March 2016); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2218486

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