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U.S. Department of Energy
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Research on high-bandgap materials and amorphous silicon-based solar cells. Annual technical report, 15 May 1995--15 May 1996

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/434452· OSTI ID:434452
; ; ;  [1]
  1. Syracuse, New York, NY (United States)
We have developed a technique based on electroabsorption measurements for obtaining quantitative estimates of the built-in potential in a-Si:H based heterostructure solar cells incorporating microcrystalline or a-SiC:Hp layers. This heterostructure problem has been a major limitation in application of the electroabsorption technique. The new technique only utilizes measurements from a particular solar cell, and is thus a significant improvement on earlier techniques requiring measurements on auxiliary films. Using this new electroabsorption technique, we confirmed previous estimates of V{sub bi} {approx} 1.0 V in a-Si:H solar cells with {open_quotes}conventional{close_quotes} intrinsic layers and either microcrystalline or a-SiC:Hp layers. Interestingly, our first measurements on high V{sub oc} cells grown with {open_quotes}high hydrogen dilution{close_quotes} intrinsic layers yield a much larger value for V{sub bi} {approx} 1.3 V. We speculate that these results are evidence for a significant interface dipole at the p/i heterostructure interface. Although we believe that interface dipoles rationalize several previously unexplained effects on a-Si:H based cells, they are not currently included in models for the operation of a-Si:H based solar cells.
Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab., Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-83CH10093
OSTI ID:
434452
Report Number(s):
NREL/SR--520-22362; ON: DE97000102
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English