Carrier lifetime in high efficiency silicon solar cells for space applications using temperature-dependent photoexcited muon spin spectroscopy

Silicon solar cells are widely used in space applications due to their cost-effectiveness, but their performance at extreme temperatures requires further study. This proposal aims to investigate temperature-dependent carrier lifetime in high-efficiency silicon solar cells using photo-µSR. Photo-µSR offers a unique advantage by measuring carrier lifetimes through metal contact structures and at various depths, making it ideal for studying completed solar cells. We will focus on two leading technologies: Tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) and silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. By analysing these cells across a temperature range from 77 K to 400 K, we aim to explore the underlying recombination mechanisms such as the impact of carrier freeze-out at low temperatures and the role of un-ionised dopants acting as recombination centre. Our previous beamtime demonstrated the effectiveness of photo-µSR in completed solar cells, which will serve as a foundation for this study. The findings will advance the development of more efficient solar cells for space applications and further extending the application of photo-µSR to other semiconductor devices.