Large-area high-efficiency (AlGa)As—GaAs solar cells

Abstract
An improved technique for making large-area high-efficiency (AlGa)As-GaAs solar cells is described. This includes a modified infinite melt liquid phase epitaxial process, for growing the desired (AlGa)As-GaAs and GaAs layers. Representative solar cells fabricated in this manner are described. Performance with an air mass zero efficiency in excess of 16 percent is shown, for cells of a 4-cm2area. Means are also shown for increasing this efficiency to about 18 percent.