Surface and bulk passivation of multicrystalline silicon solar cells by ...
Surface and bulk passivation of multicrystalline silicon solar cells by ...
Surface and bulk passivation of multicrystalline silicon solar cells by ...
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CHAPTER 3<br />
MODELING OF SURFACE RECOMBINATION VELOCITY - ROLE OF THE<br />
DAMAGED LAYER<br />
3.1 Background<br />
3.1.1 Recombination Mechanisms in Silicon<br />
Illumination <strong>of</strong> a semiconductor junction with photons <strong>of</strong> sufficient energy creates<br />
electron-hole pairs (`generation'). Hence, the charge carrier concentration is higher under<br />
illumination than the dark (thermal equilibrium). Upon termination <strong>of</strong> illumination, the<br />
carrier concentrations return to their thermal equilibrium values. The responsible<br />
processes are called recombination.<br />
The recombination process occurs via defect levels (surface states) in the<br />
forbidden b<strong>and</strong>gap <strong>of</strong> the semiconductor. Three fundamental recombination processes are<br />
<strong>of</strong>ten addressed in semiconductors:<br />
—B<strong>and</strong>-to-b<strong>and</strong> recombination<br />
— Trap-assisted recombination<br />
—Auger recombination.<br />
3.1.1.1 B<strong>and</strong>-to-b<strong>and</strong> Recombination. B<strong>and</strong>-to-b<strong>and</strong> recombination is the inverse<br />
process to the absorption <strong>of</strong> light in a semiconductor. An electron in the conduction b<strong>and</strong><br />
falls into a non-occupied state (a hole) in the valence b<strong>and</strong>; the excess energy is released<br />
in the form <strong>of</strong> a photon. B<strong>and</strong>-to-b<strong>and</strong> recombination in a direct b<strong>and</strong>-gap semiconductor<br />
is shown schematically in Figure 3.1 [76].<br />
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