A probabilistic approach to determine radiative recombination carrier lifetimes in quantum well solar cells

Abstract

In this paper the author places forth a new approach to determine the radiative recombination lifetimes of photo-generated carriers in quantum well solar cells. The calculations are performed for a hypothetical AlxGa1−xAs/GaAs quantum well solar cell. A similar device for which existing data is available is used for comparison. The foundation of the approach is the use of the original equations proposed by Shockley et al. using the assumption that photo-carrier generation is probabilistically controlled, a new approach to photo-carrier generation is derived and determination of the carrier lifetimes is possible. The results obtained for the AlGaAs/GaAs cell fall within accuracy of the existing experimental data.