Near-optimum design of GaAs-based concentrator space solar cells for 80 C operation

Using a detailed computer simulation model and reasonable values of optical, geometrical and material parameters from current published literature, parameter optimization studies were performed on two cell geometries, namely, the circular geometry for a Cassegrainian concentrator with 100 AM0, 80 C operation and the rectangular geometry for a venetian blind concentrator with 20 AM0, 80 C operation. For each cell geometry, three cell configurations were considered: p/n AlGaAs/GaAs; n/p AlGaAs/GaAs; and, n/p GaAs shallow homojunction. The studies show the possibility of designing GaAs-based space solar cells with beginning-of-life efficiencies exceeding 22 percent at 20 to 100 AM0, 80 C and probable efficiency degradation of less than 15 percent after a 70 percent reduction in diffusion length in each cell region.