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How Grain Boundaries in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Thin Films are Charged: Revisit

Journal Article · · Applied Physics Letters
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4737406· OSTI ID:1047927

Potential measurements on Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} thin films using scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy have been reported extensively to address grain-boundary (GB) recombination by examining GB charging. However, the results are highly inconsistent. We revisit this issue by measuring high- and low-quality wide-bandgap films and using a complementary method of scanning capacitance microscopy. Our results show consistent positively charged GBs in our high-quality films with minimal surface defects, except for the {Sigma}3[112] GBs, which are charge neutral. We discuss possible artifacts due to surface defects when examining the GB charging and the role of GBs in the device performance.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Solar Energy Technologies Program
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1047927
Journal Information:
Applied Physics Letters, Journal Name: Applied Physics Letters Journal Issue: 3 Vol. 101; ISSN APPLAB; ISSN 0003-6951
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English