Microscopic observation of carrier-transport dynamics in quantum-structure solar cells using a time-of-flight technique

作者：Toprasertpong Kasidit^*; Kasamatsu Naofumi; Fujii Hiromasa; Kada Tomoyuki; Asahi Shigeo; Wang Yunpeng; Watanabe Kentaroh; Sugiyama Masakazu; Kita Takashi; Nakano Yoshiaki

来源：Applied Physics Letters, 2015, 107(4): 043901.

DOI：10.1063/1.4927612

• Carrier transport dynamics
• Conventional techniques
• Effective mobilities
• Microscopic observations
• Quasi-bulk materials
• Real time observation
• Time-of-flight techniques
• Time-resolved photoluminescence

In this study, we propose a carrier time-of-flight technique to evaluate the carrier transport time across a quantum structure in an active region of solar cells. By observing the time-resolved photoluminescence signal with a quantum-well probe inserted under the quantum structure at forward bias, the carrier transport time can be efficiently determined at room temperature. The averaged drift velocity shows linear dependence on the internal field, allowing us to estimate the quantum structure as a quasi-bulk material with low effective mobility containing the information of carrier dynamics. We show that this direct and real-time observation is more sensitive to carrier transport than other conventional techniques, providing better insights into microscopic carrier transport dynamics to overcome a device design difficulty.

• 出版日期2015-7-27