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Embedding physics domain knowledge into a Bayesian network enables layer-by-layer process innovation for photovoltaics

delete2020-01-31
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OA
AI
Z
Zekun Ren *
F
Felipe Oviedo
M
Maung Thway
S
Siyu Tian
Y
Yue Wang
H
Hansong Xue
J
José Darío Perea
M
Mariya Layurova
T
Thomas Heumueller
E
Erik Birgersson
A
Armin G. Aberle
C
Christoph J. Brabec
R
Rolf Stangl
Q
Qianxiao Li
S
Shijing Sun
F
Fen Lin
I
Ian Marius Peters
T
Tonio Buonassisi *
DOI:10.1038/s41524-020-0277-xdelete
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Abstract

Abstract

En 中文
Process optimization of photovoltaic devices is a time-intensive, trial-and-error endeavor, which lacks full transparency of the underlying physics and relies on user-imposed constraints that may or may not lead to a global optimum. Herein, we demonstrate that embedding physics domain knowledge into a Bayesian network enables an optimization approach for gallium arsenide (GaAs) solar cells that identifies the root cause(s) of underperformance with layer-by-layer resolution and reveals alternative optimal process windows beyond traditional black-box optimization. Our Bayesian network approach links a key GaAs process variable (growth temperature) to material descriptors (bulk and interface properties, e.g., bulk lifetime, doping, and surface recombination) and device performance parameters (e.g., cell efficiency). For this purpose, we combine a Bayesian inference framework with a neural network surrogate device-physics model that is 100x faster than numerical solvers. With the trained surrogate model and only a small number of experimental samples, our approach reduces significantly the time-consuming intervention and characterization required by the experimentalist. As a demonstration of our method, in only five metal organic chemical vapor depositions, we identify a superior growth temperature profile for the window, bulk, and back surface field layer of a GaAs solar cell, without any secondary measurements, and demonstrate a 6.5% relative AM1.5G efficiency improvement above traditional grid search methods.
Keywords:
MINORITY-CARRIER LIFETIME
SOLAR-CELLS
GROWTH TEMPERATURE
GAAS
MOCVD
RECOMBINATION
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Journal

npj Computational Materials cover
npj Computational Materials
IF:
11.9
Papers:
2.3K
Citations:
1.7W

Organization

U
University of Erlangen Nuremberg
Scholars:
3.2W
Papers: 2.6W
Citations: 29
N
National University of Singapore
Scholars:
7.4W
Papers: 6.4W
Citations: 11.4W
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