Triple-junction heteroepitaxial AlGa/CuInSe.sub.2 tandem solar cell and method of manufacture

摘要

An ultra-high-efficiency, monolithic, heteroepitaxial solar cell having a high specific power is disclosed. The solar cell includes three photoactive regions connected in series by their structure as a substantially single crystal multilayer film. The three photoactive junctions are in tandem optically. The upper cell, having the highest bandgap, is exposed to the entire solar spectrum, wherein those wavelengths whose energy is less than the upper cell's bandgap are transmitted to the two underlying cells. The intermediate cell similarly filters the solar spectrum transmitted to the lower cell which has the lowest bandgap.