Work

Guiding crack propagation in GaAs solar cells with four-pointed-star patterned GaAs/Si virtual substrate

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: This study reports experimental results for GaAs solar cells grown on patterned and unpatterned GaAs/Si virtual substrates. GaAs solar cells grown on Si commonly suffer from cracking induced by thermal-expansion mismatch during growth and cooldown. To mitigate this issue, a four-pointed-star hole array is patterned into the GaAs/Si virtual substrate. The tips of the holes act as crack-steering features that guide cracks along predefined paths away from active regions. The GaAs solar cell on the patterned virtual substrate achieved a V OC of 0.88 V, a J SC of 22.85 mA cm −2 , and an efficiency of 15.10%, whereas the device on the unpatterned virtual substrate exhibited lower values of 0.81 V, 21.51 mA cm −2 , and 11.23%, respectively.

Source: Materials Research Express

DOI: 10.1088/2053-1591/ae45f8

Authors: Jei-Li Hou, Sheng-Po Chang, Jun-Jie Zhang, Po-Chun Lai

Institution: National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology

Language: English

Topic: solar cell performance optimization

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDG: Affordable and clean energy

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,000