Inverted metamorphic multijunction solar cell including a metamorphic layer

US10374112B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SOLAERO TECHNOLOGIES CORP. · US

Inventors

• Arthur Cornfeld · Sandia Park, US
• Pravin Patel · Albuquerque, US
• Mark A. Stan · Albuquerque, US
• Benjamin Cho · Albuquerque, US
• Paul R. Sharps · Albuquerque, US
• Daniel Aiken · Edgewood, US
• John Spann · Albuquerque, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Feb 17, 2016
• Grant date: Aug 6, 2019
• Expiry date: Feb 17, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02P70/50

Abstract

A multijunction solar cell includes an upper first solar subcell, a second solar subcell adjacent to the first solar subcell, a third solar subcell adjacent to the second solar subcell, and a graded interlayer adjacent to the third solar subcell. The graded interlayer has a band gap that is greater than the band gap of the third solar subcell and is composed of a compositionally step-graded series of (InxGa1-x)yAl1-yAs layers with monotonically changing lattice constant, with x and y having respective values such that the band gap of the graded interlayer remains constant throughout its thickness, and wherein 0<x<1 and 0<y<1. A fourth solar subcell is adjacent to the graded interlayer and is lattice mismatched with respect to the third solar subcell. The graded interlayer provides a transition in lattice constant from the third solar subcell to the fourth solar subcell. A lower fifth solar subcell is adjacent to the fourth solar subcell.