Temperature dependence of dark current properties of In-GaAs/GaAs quantum dot solar cells

Performances of GaAs reference solar cells and 10-layer InGaAs/ GaAs quantum dot solar cells were tested using AM1.5 illumination with results indicate that quantum dot (QD) structures improve the photo-current density compared to reference devices. Systematic measurements of the dark current versus voltage (I–V) characteristics were also carried out as a function of temperatures from 30K to 310K. The QD solar cell (QDSC) displays a more rapid change of dark current with increasing temperature than reference cells. The dark current of QD cells was found to be greatly affected by carrier trapping and recombination by the presence of QDs.