Optimization of GaAs Nanowire Solar Cell Efficiency via Optoelectronic Modeling

We have developed a fully-coupled optoelectronic device model integrating two commercial software packages: COMSOL Multiphysics and Synopsys TCAD Sentaurus. This model is used to optimize GaAs nanowire solar cells containing a vertical p-n junction with passivating shell. We investigate the impact of the nanowire diameter, height, emitter thickness, square-array periodicity, and doping on the cell performance. This model allows quantitative optimization of device parameters. Under normal-incidence l-sun AM1.5D illumination and with attainable material parameters, a design capable of reaching efficiency over 22.2 % is reported.