Valence band offset in heterojunctions between crystalline silicon and amorphous silicon (sub)oxides (a-SiO{sub x}:H, 0 < x < 2)
- Institute Silicon Photovoltaics, Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Kekuléstr. 5, D-12489 Berlin (Germany)
The heterojunction between amorphous silicon (sub)oxides (a-SiO{sub x}:H, 0 < x < 2) and crystalline silicon (c-Si) is investigated. We combine chemical vapor deposition with in-system photoelectron spectroscopy in order to determine the valence band offset ΔE{sub V} and the interface defect density, being technologically important junction parameters. ΔE{sub V} increases from ≈0.3 eV for the a-Si:H/c-Si interface to >4 eV for the a-SiO{sub 2}/c-Si interface, while the electronic quality of the heterointerface deteriorates. High-bandgap a-SiO{sub x}:H is therefore unsuitable for the hole contact in heterojunction solar cells, due to electronic transport hindrance resulting from the large ΔE{sub V}. Our method is readily applicable to other heterojunctions.
- OSTI ID:
- 22415126
- Journal Information:
- Applied Physics Letters, Vol. 106, Issue 3; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0003-6951
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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