Effects of bulk and surface defects in germanium on the performance of multijunction solar cells

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As the new technology for high performance solar cells keeps improving, the demand for top quality single crystal germanium material is increasing steadily. The materials suppliers are under pressure to provide products with good crystal quality, uniform and accurate doping levels, and flat, clean surfaces. 5N Plus is a supplier of such products and the company is striving to exceed these requirements. The manufacturing of such germanium wafers is a process that necessitates a deep understanding of the properties of the material, as well as powerful measurement tools to analyze the product and assess its quality. Furthermore, the photovoltaic cells that are produced with such materials are complex and the relationship between the germanium quality and purity and their performance is not well understood. This project will investigate this relationship. Through a close collaboration between 5N Plus production team and Université de Sherbrooke semiconductor experts, a detailed study of the properties of 5N Plus germanium will be performed. Simple solar cell structures will be fabricated using the material. The performance of such devices will be measured and analyzed to identify its link with any deviation from the required specifications.