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Problem when trying to simulate solar cell

Posted 21 feb 2014, 13:57 GMT-5 Semiconductor Devices Version 5.0 4 Replies

Kevin Boyd
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Hello everyone, I am new to Comsol and am trying to simulate a simple silicon solar cell using the semiconductor module. I can setup the PN junction and find IV curves with no problem. However, when I try to enter an electron and hole generation rate using the "User Defined Recombination" the solution won't converge. I get the following error message:

Failed to find a solution for the initial parameter.
Maximum number of Newton iterations reached.
Returned solution is not converged.
- Feature: Stationary Solver 1 (sol1/s1)

I am using a generation rate of 10^32 [1/(m^3*s)] and the volume of my cell is 10^-17 [m^3], corresponding to the generation of 10^15 carriers per second. Assuming no recombination, this will lead to a current of approximately 1 mA. If I use a lower generation rate (10^25 [1/(m^3*s)] ) the solution will converge, but I get negligible photocurrent. I have attached my simulation. Any help, or tips would be much appreciated!

Thanks
-Kevin
4 Replies Last Post 6 giu 2016, 10:25 GMT-4
Daniel Smith COMSOL Employee

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Posted: 1 decade ago 21 feb 2014, 15:31 GMT-5
Hi Kevin, when solving this type of problem with the Semiconductor Module you often need to ramp up the magnitude of the recombination rate using the "Auxiliary sweep" option in the Stationary study step settings. In your case, this results in a parametric sweep over 2 parameters. The model will take longer to solve but it will be much easier for the solver to find a converged solution.

In your specific model, the mesh also needs refining. You can refer to the attached model.

Dan
Hi Kevin, when solving this type of problem with the Semiconductor Module you often need to ramp up the magnitude of the recombination rate using the "Auxiliary sweep" option in the Stationary study step settings. In your case, this results in a parametric sweep over 2 parameters. The model will take longer to solve but it will be much easier for the solver to find a converged solution. In your specific model, the mesh also needs refining. You can refer to the attached model. Dan
Kevin Boyd
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Posted: 1 decade ago 24 feb 2014, 19:10 GMT-5
Thank you very much for your reply, Dan, it was very helpful! I'm sure I will have a lot more questions in the future. For the time being, I was wondering how to go about modelling the effect of surface recombination. There doesn't appear to be a node devoted to this. Is there a strategy for using the "User Defined Recombination" node to account for surface recombination?
-Kevin
Thank you very much for your reply, Dan, it was very helpful! I'm sure I will have a lot more questions in the future. For the time being, I was wondering how to go about modelling the effect of surface recombination. There doesn't appear to be a node devoted to this. Is there a strategy for using the "User Defined Recombination" node to account for surface recombination? -Kevin
Hemanta Ghosh
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Posted: 1 decade ago 20 lug 2014, 11:29 GMT-4
Hi Kevin,

I am also a new to this software,and trying to learn the basic of PN junction simulation can you please guide me how to construct a pn junction diode and simulate the IV characteristic .if possible please send me the mail with details at hemghosh04@gmail.com.


Thanks

Hemanta Ghosh
Hi Kevin, I am also a new to this software,and trying to learn the basic of PN junction simulation can you please guide me how to construct a pn junction diode and simulate the IV characteristic .if possible please send me the mail with details at hemghosh04@gmail.com. Thanks Hemanta Ghosh
Maria Jabeen
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Posted: 8 years ago 6 giu 2016, 10:25 GMT-4
Hi Kevin Boyd,
I am actually designing a solar cell by using silicon meterial but stuck into how to create pn junction. And how to calculate absorption coeffecient for any cell. I request you please help me in this regard or can i get your email so that would be able to discuss properly.
Thank you.
Hi Kevin Boyd, I am actually designing a solar cell by using silicon meterial but stuck into how to create pn junction. And how to calculate absorption coeffecient for any cell. I request you please help me in this regard or can i get your email so that would be able to discuss properly. Thank you.

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