Determination of defect density of state distribution of amorphous silicon solar cells by temperature derivative capacitance-frequency measurement
- Delft University of Technology, PVMD-DIMES, P.O. Box 5053, 2600 GB Delft (Netherlands)
In this contribution, we demonstrate the application temperature dependent capacitance-frequency measurements (C-f) to n-i-p hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells that are forward-biased. By using a forward bias, the C-f measurement can detect the density of defect states in a particular energy range of the interface region. For this contribution, we have carried out this measurement method on n-i-p a-Si:H solar cells of which the intrinsic layer has been exposed to a H{sub 2}-plasma before p-type layer deposition. After this treatment, the open-circuit voltage and fill factor increased significantly, as well as the blue response of the solar cells as is concluded from external quantum efficiency. For single junction, n-i-p a-Si:H solar cells initial efficiency increased from 6.34% to 8.41%. This performance enhancement is believed to be mainly due to a reduction of the defect density in the i-p interface region after the H{sub 2}-plasma treatment. These results are confirmed by the C-f measurements. After H{sub 2}-plasma treatment, the defect density in the intrinsic layer near the i-p interface region is lower and peaks at an energy level deeper in the band gap. These C-f measurements therefore enable us to monitor changes in the defect density in the interface region as a result of a hydrogen plasma. The lower defect density at the i-p interface as detected by the C-f measurements is supported by dark current-voltage measurements, which indicate a lower carrier recombination rate.
- OSTI ID:
- 22275709
- Journal Information:
- Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 115, Issue 3; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
AMORPHOUS STATE
CAPACITANCE
CHARGE CARRIERS
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ENERGY LEVELS
FREQUENCY MEASUREMENT
HYDROGEN
HYDROGENATION
INTERFACES
PLASMA
QUANTUM EFFICIENCY
RECOMBINATION
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SILICON
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
TEMPERATURE DEPENDENCE