Evaluation of the minority carrier diffusion length by means of electron beam induced current and Monte Carlo simulation in AlGaAs and GaAs p-i-n solar cells

Abstract
A new method of determining the minority carrier diffusion length in multilayer solar cells is described. Electron beam-induced current (EBIC) gain measurements, performed in a scanning electron microscope in the planar sample configuration, are compared with values obtained by calculations using a Monte Carlo simulation program of electron trajectories. Values for diffusion lengths obtained by this method from five AlGaAs and GaAs p-i-n and p-n solar cells are compared with values given in the literature.