Quantum well solar cells

This paper reviews the experimental and theoretical studies of quantum well solar cells with an aim of providing the background to the more detailed papers on this subject in these proceedings. It discusses the way quantum wells enhance efficiency in real, lattice matched material systems and fundamental studies of radiative recombination relevant to the question of whether such enhancements are possible in ideal cells. A number of theoretical models for quantum well solar cells (QWSCs) are briefly reviewed and more detail is given of our own groupʹs model of the dark-currents. The temperature and field dependence of QWSCs are all briefly reviewed.