Rigorous models for tunnel junctions

[dalonsoa]

Solcore has built in a simple resistive model for tunnel junctions, and also a parametric model, defined in terms of peak and valley currents and voltages. It also allows for externally defined tunnel junctions, by getting the tunnel junction IV curve as input.

More rigorous models will allow to calculate the tunnel current from the layer structure of the junction. Some simple models that could be implemented are:

• Semiclassical Tunnel Diode model - S. M. Sze, Physics of Semiconductor devices (Chapter 8: Tunnel Devices).
• Louarn, K., Fontaine, C., Arnoult, A., Olivié, F., Lacoste, G., Piquemal, F., Bounouh, A., Almuneau, G.: Modelling of interband transitions in GaAs tunnel diode. Semicond. Sci. Technol. 31(6), 06LT01-6 (2016)

[Chaz-Photonicity]

"getting the tunnel junction IV curve as input."

I've also read about this from the documentation but no detail about how to do it. Pls advise. Thanks

[dalonsoa]

Unfortunetly, this is not that well documented - if documented at all :(

You can have a look at the function that does that here:

solcore5/solcore/analytic_solar_cells/tunnel_junctions.py

Line 88 in 95a2b01

def external_tunnel_junction(junction, options):

Essentially you will need to call this function using as input a junction object (like in the other cases) that has external_voltage and external_current as attributes, so they can be interpolated. And that's it.

Updating the documentation on this - or adding new models - is a nice, good first issue in case you want to contribute as part of Hacktoberfest, by the way.