A reciprocity theorem for charge collection

Abstract

It is shown that the current collected by a p-n junction in presence of a unit point generation of carriers at a point P is the same (apart from the dimensions) as the excess minority-carrier density at P due to a unit density of carriers at the junction edge. Use of this reciprocity relation may simplify the calculation of beam induced currents in semiconductor devices. The practical meaning of this property is illustrated in the case of a light-emitting diode containing defects.

Reciprocity relation between photovoltaic quantum efficiency and electroluminescent emission of solar cells

“…15͒. Hence, Donolato's reciprocity 8 holds also in the presence of photon recycling. At this point, it is interesting to note that we may omit the transport term in Eq.…”

“…8 Thus, theorem I is a consequence of the principle of detailed balance. However, this principle is strictly valid only in thermal equilibrium and may be extended to nonequilibrium situations only if the departure from equilibrium is linear.…”

Electroluminescence analysis of high efficiency Cu(In,Ga)Se2 solar cells

“…͑4͔͒ relies on the validity of another reciprocity theorem, derived by Donolato. 30 The Donolato theorem connects the carrier concentration in the dark under applied bias with the collection efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers under illumination. As shown in Refs.…”

A detailed study of p–n junction solar cells by means of collection efficiency

“…In the present work, this parameter is considered in a different way based on the use of the diffusion equation for minority carriers derived by del Alamo and Swanson [7] and a reciprocity relationship between the charge collection and the dark carrier distribution [5,[8][9][10][11][12]. The results obtained from the calculation are applied to study the performance of a solar cell.…”