A homojunction is the region between an n-layer and a p-layer in a single material, photovoltaic cell. Solar cells that use crystalline silicon, for example, are examples of homojunction devices.
In a homojunction cell, crystalline silicon is altered so that one side is p-type, dominated by positive holes, and the other side is n-type, dominated by negative electrons. The p-n junction is located so that the maximum amount of light is absorbed near it. The free electrons and holes generated by light deep in the silicon diffuse to the p-n junction, then separate to produce a current if the silicon is of sufficient high quality.
In the homojunction design, several aspects of the cell may be varied to increase conversion efficiency:
Related category• SEMICONDUCTOR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
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