Micro-transfer printing of antimonide III–V photovoltaics

M Margaret A. Stevens (U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 4 , 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20375,) A Alex J. Grede (U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 1 , Washington, DC 20375,) S Shawn Mack (U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 1 , Washington, DC 20375,) K Kenneth J. Schmieder (Formerly with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 6 , 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20375,) J Jill A. Nolde (Electronic Science and Technology Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 1 , Washington, District of Columbia 20375,)

Abstract

We demonstrate micro-transfer printing of AlGaAsSb membranes and GaSb-based photovoltaic devices using a lattice-matched design and a citric-acid-based chemistry. Using near-IR microscopy, we quantify the lateral undercut rate of AlGaAsSb membranes. We characterize the performance of GaSb photovoltaics integrated on silicon with a print adhesive with both dark current–voltage characteristics and power conversion efficiency measurements under a 1550 nm laser. The highest performing transfer printed photovoltaic device exhibited 19.1% efficiency under 0.1 W/cm2 and a peak efficiency of 23.8% under 0.86 W/cm2. We evaluate the current–voltage characteristics to identify methods to improve the series resistance of the devices. We also show that the SiNx encapsulation is critical to achieving high power conversion efficiency after selective etching and transfer printing.

Article Details

Volume / Issue Vol. 127, Issue 17
Published October 23, 2025
ISSN 0003-6951
Publisher American Institute of Physics

Journal Info

Applied Physics Letters

American Institute of Physics

ISSN: 0003-6951 Physical Sciences

Authors (5)

M

Margaret A. Stevens

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 4 , 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20375,

A

Alex J. Grede

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 1 , Washington, DC 20375,

S

Shawn Mack

U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 1 , Washington, DC 20375,

K

Kenneth J. Schmieder

Formerly with the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 6 , 4555 Overlook Ave. SW, Washington, District of Columbia 20375,

J

Jill A. Nolde

Electronic Science and Technology Division, U.S. Naval Research Laboratory 1 , Washington, District of Columbia 20375,