High performance anti-reflection coatings for broadband multi-junction solar cells

The success of bandgap engineering has made high-efficiency broadband multi-junction solar cells possible with photo-response out to the band edge of germanium. Modeling has been conducted which suggests that current double-layer antireflection coating technology is not adequate for these devices in certain cases. Approaches for the development of higher performance antireflection coatings are examined. A new antireflection coating structure based on the use of Herpin equivalent layers is presented. Optical modeling of the new AR coating suggests a decrease in the solar weighted reflectance of 2.5% absolute over typically used double-layer antireflection coatings. This structure requires no additional optical material development and characterization because no new optical materials are necessary. Experimental results and a sensitivity analysis are presented. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.