High-low refractive index stacks as antireflection coatings on triple-junction solar cells

Abstract

Antireflection coatings (ARCs) are crucial components of high-efficiency solar cells. A new ARC design philosophy, dubbed high-low refractive index stacks, has demonstrated good potential to minimize reflection losses for triple-junction and quadruple-junction solar cells in simulations. We have implemented such novel ARCs on GaInP/InGaAs/Ge triple-junction solar cells and compared the experimental performances—external quantum efficiency and reflectivity—with that of identical devices equipping the classic double-layer ARC. For typical materials such as MgF2/ZnS with ambient glass, the results show that the new design improves the short circuit current by 1.8% at normal incidence and 1.6% and 1% for angles of incidence of 30° and 50°, respectively.