Optically induced metastability in Cu(In,Ga)Se2

Jensen, S. A.; Kanevce, A.; Mansfield, L. M.; Glynn, S.; Lany, S.; Kuciauskas, D.

doi:10.1038/s41598-017-14344-6

Title: Optically induced metastability in Cu(In,Ga)Se₂

Journal Article · Mon Oct 23 00:00:00 EDT 2017 · Scientific Reports

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-017-14344-6· OSTI ID:1407457

Jensen, S. A. ^[1]; Kanevce, A. ^[1];

^[1]; Glynn, S. ^[1];

^[1]; Kuciauskas, D. ^[1]

National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGS) is presently the most efficient thin-film photovoltaic technology with efficiencies exceeding 22%. An important factor impacting the efficiency is metastability, where material changes occur over timescales of up to weeks during light exposure. A previously proposed (V _Se -V _Cu ) divacancy model presents a widely accepted explanation. We present experimental evidence for the optically induced metastability transition and expand the divacancy model with first-principles calculations. Using photoluminescence excitation spectroscopy, we identify a sub-bandgap optical transition that severely deteriorates the carrier lifetime. This is in accordance with the expanded divacancy model, which predicts that states below the conduction band are responsible for the metastability change. We determine the density–capture cross-section product of the induced lifetime-limiting states and evaluate their impact on device performance. The experimental and theoretical findings presented can allow assessment of metastability characteristics of leading thin-film photovoltaic technologies.

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Research Organization:: National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 1407457

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5900-67677

Journal Information:: Scientific Reports, Vol. 7; ISSN 2045-2322

Publisher:: Nature Publishing GroupCopyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Cited by: 12 works

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Investigations on the parameters limiting the performance of CdS/SnS solar cell K., Ramya; K. T., Ramakrishna Reddy International Journal of Energy Research, Vol. 42, Issue 5 https://doi.org/10.1002/er.3972	journal	February 2018
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Electronic defects in $Cu (In, Ga) S e_{2}$ : Towards a comprehensive model Spindler, Conrad; Babbe, Finn; Wolter, Max Hilaire Physical Review Materials, Vol. 3, Issue 9 https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevmaterials.3.090302	journal	September 2019

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Title: Optically induced metastability in Cu(In,Ga)Se2

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Title: Optically induced metastability in Cu(In,Ga)Se₂