Effects of carrier-blocking barrier height on two-step photocurrent generation in dilute nitride intermediate band solar cells

GaAs:N dilute nitride intermediate band solar cells (IBSCs) with different barrier heights for blocking electron transport from the intermediate band (IB) were prepared and the role of such an electron blocking layer (EBL) was investigated. It is found that the EBL effectively confines electrons in the IB states, and the two-step photocurrent generation process is strongly affected by its barrier height. A rate equation analysis well reproduced experimental observations of the applied voltage dependence of the two-step photocurrent generation process. It revealed that the electron extraction both from the conduction band and the IB through the EBL is governed by the thermionic emission process. To meet the requirements of an ideal IBSC, optimized device structures including the barrier height of the EBL have to be designed properly taking into account the material parameters and carrier dynamics under the actual operating condition.