DOI: 10.11648/j.am.20251403.11 ISSN: 2327-252X

Front Surface Field (FSF) Layer Thickness Engineering in Heterojunction Solar Cells: Efficiency Optimization Through Predictive SILVACO-TCAD Simulation

Aly Toure, Moussa Toure, Mamadou Samb, Mouhamadou Sam, Fatma Sow, Ahmed Yahya
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This study focuses on optimizing the thickness, doping, and bandgap energy of the Front Surface Field (FSF) layer in silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells using predictive simulation with SILVACO-TCAD. SHJ solar cells are known for their high efficiency, low-cost manufacturing, and low-temperature fabrication processes. The FSF layer, typically composed of p+-doped hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H), plays a pivotal role in determining cell performance. <i>Key Methodology: </i>The research employs the TCAD-SILVACO Atlas simulation software to model SHJ solar cells and analyze the influence of FSF layer parameters on photovoltaic performance, particularly the open-circuit voltage (<I>V<SUB>OC</SUB></I>), short-circuit current density (<I>J<SUB>SC</SUB></I>), fill factor (FF), and overall efficiency (<i>η</i>). The simulation integrates the Poisson and continuity equations, Boltzmann statistics, and models for Auger and Shockley-Read-Hall (SRH) recombination. <i>Major Findings: FSF Thickness: </i>Optimal efficiency (~23.5%) is achieved with an FSF thickness around 5 nm. Increasing the thickness beyond this value leads to reduced <I>V<SUB>OC</SUB></I> and FF due to enhanced recombination and increased resistivity. <i>Doping Concentration: </i>Higher doping levels in the FSF layer strengthen the electric field at the junction, improving carrier separation and collection. However, excessive doping can cause additional recombination, emphasizing the need for balanced optimization. <i>Bandgap Energy: </i>A lower bandgap enhances photon absorption but increases thermal losses, while a higher bandgap limits absorption but can theoretically improve<i> V<SUB>OC</SUB></i>. An optimal bandgap value around 1.7 eV, combined with a 5-7 nm thickness, was identified for peak efficiency. <i>Simulation Stability: </i>The study temporarily replaced the conventional indium tin oxide (ITO) front layer with silicon dioxide (SiO<sub>2</sub>) for simulation stability. This substitution was for numerical purposes only and is not applicable in real-world fabrication. The research highlights that achieving high-efficiency heterojunction solar cells requires precise, simultaneous optimization of the FSF layer's thickness, doping concentration, and bandgap energy. The study confirms that a careful balance of these parameters minimizes recombination losses, optimizes charge transport, and enhances photovoltaic performance. Future work should involve further experimental validation and the integration of more realistic front contact materials such as transparent conductive oxides (TCOs).

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