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Title: Thin-Film Cadmium Telluride Photovoltaic Cells: Final Subcontract Report, 1 November 1992 - 1 January 1994

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/10182622· OSTI ID:10182622

This report describes work to develop and optimize radio-frequency (rf) sputtering for the deposition of thin films of cadmium telluride (CdTe) and related semiconductors for thin-film solar cells. Pulsed laser physical vapor deposition was also used for exploratory work on these materials, especially where alloying or doping are involved, and for the deposition of cadmium chloride layers. The sputtering work utilized a 2-in diameter planar magnetron sputter gun. The film growth rate by rf sputtering was studied as a function of substrate temperature, gas pressure, and rf power. Complete solar cells were fabricated on tin-oxide-coated soda-lime glass substrates. Currently, work is being done to improve the open-circuit voltage by varying the CdTe-based absorber layer, and to improve the short-circuit current by modifying the CdS window layer.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
10182622
Report Number(s):
NREL/TP-451-7162; ON: DE94011886; BR: WM1020000
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Sep 1994
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English