Effect of irradiation on gallium arsenide solar cells with multi quantum well structures

Abstract

In this paper, a complex analysis of the radiation response of GaAs solar cells with multi quantum wells (MQW) incorporated in the i-region of the device is presented. Electronic transport properties of the MQW i-region were assessed experimentally by the electron beam induced current (EBIC) technique. A 2-D EBIC diffusion model was applied to simulate EBIC line scans across device structure for different radiation doses. The results are interpreted using numerical modeling of the electrical field distribution at different radiation levels. Type conversion from n- to p-type was found in MQW i-region at displacement damage dose as low as low as ~9.88E9 MeV/g. This is supported by experimental and simulated EBIC and electric field distribution results.