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Sayani Ghosh
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I was wondering in Schottky junction solar cells, how is the open circuit voltage dependant on the built in potential and the Schottky Barrier Height?
Schottky junction solar cells are a type of photovoltaic device that converts sunlight into electricity. They are made up of a metal-semiconductor junction, where the metal acts as the anode and the semiconductor acts as the cathode. This creates a built-in electric field that separates the photo-generated charge carriers and generates an electric current.
Schottky junction solar cells differ from traditional solar cells in that they do not have a p-n junction. Instead, they have a metal-semiconductor junction, which allows for more efficient charge carrier separation and collection. They also have a lower bandgap, meaning they can absorb a wider range of solar wavelengths and have a higher conversion efficiency.
The most commonly used materials in Schottky junction solar cells are metals such as aluminum, silver, or gold for the anode, and semiconductors such as silicon, gallium arsenide, or cadmium telluride for the cathode. Other materials such as titanium, palladium, and indium are also used as anode materials to improve efficiency and stability.
Schottky junction solar cells have several advantages over traditional solar cells. They have a simpler structure, making them easier and cheaper to manufacture. They also have a higher open-circuit voltage and a wider spectral response, allowing them to generate electricity even in low light conditions. Additionally, they have a longer lifespan and are more resistant to degradation due to their metal-semiconductor junction.
Schottky junction solar cells have a wide range of potential applications, including in portable electronic devices, space applications, and building-integrated photovoltaics. They can also be used in tandem with traditional solar cells to create hybrid solar panels that can generate electricity from a wider range of solar wavelengths, increasing overall efficiency. In the future, they may also be used in large-scale solar farms to generate renewable energy for communities and industries.