Low cost, sprayed CuInSe/sub 2/ solar cell research. First annual progress report, September 15, 1982-September 15, 1983
This program is examining a promising new spray pyrolysis technique to deposit thin films of CuInSe/sub 2/ for terrestrial solar cell applications. This technique is very attractive for depositing high quality thin film CuInSe/sub 2/ solar cells due to its inherent simplicity and potential low cost. The initial six months of the program focused on studying the solution chemistry and process parameters needed to deposit CuInSe/sub 2/ by this new method. Progress during the early period was achieved by developing very stable chemical spray solutions for CuInSe/sub 2/ deposition. As a result of this progress, we were successful in depositing CuInSe/sub 2/ films which exhibited both p- and n-type conductivity. The tailoring of the conductivity type was achieved by varying the solution concentration ratios of copper to indium. Sprayed CuInSe/sub 2/ films exhibiting n-type conductivity with resistivities in the 10/sup 3/ to 10/sup 5/ ohm cm range were deposited from indium rich solutions. The p-type conductivity with resistivities in the 10/sup -2/ to 10/sup 2/ ohm cm range were typical of near stoichiometric ratios of copper to indium. Preliminary Schottky barrier and heterojunction devices were fabricated during the initial six months. These early devices showed encouraging results. During the next six months dramatic improvements in the device parameters were achieved. Open circuit voltages in excess of 350 mV, short circuit current densities up to 7 mA/cm/sup 2/ and fill factors up to 30% have been observed. These devices have remained stable for three months without any decrease in performance. The AMl conversion efficiency is rapidly approaching 1.0%. The preliminary results have been very encouraging and many of the limitations impeding progress have been identified. We are confident that we will succeed in producing CuInSe/sub 2/ solar cells of sufficiently high conversion efficiency to demonstrate the value of the new spray pyrolysis technique.
- Research Organization:
- Radiation Monitoring Devices, Inc., Watertown, MA (USA)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC02-82ER13026
- OSTI ID:
- 5490348
- Report Number(s):
- DOE/ER/13026-1; ON: DE84005339
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Portions are illegible in microfiche products
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Low cost, sprayed CuInSe/sub 2/ solar cell research. Annual progress report, September 15, 1983-September 15, 1984
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Related Subjects
COPPER SELENIDE SOLAR CELLS
SPRAY COATING
INDIUM SELENIDE SOLAR CELLS
CADMIUM SULFIDES
CARRIER DENSITY
CURRENT DENSITY
ELECTRIC CONDUCTIVITY
ELECTRIC POTENTIAL
HETEROJUNCTIONS
SCHOTTKY BARRIER SOLAR CELLS
STOICHIOMETRY
CADMIUM COMPOUNDS
CHALCOGENIDES
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
EQUIPMENT
INORGANIC PHOSPHORS
JUNCTIONS
PHOSPHORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE COATING
140501* - Solar Energy Conversion- Photovoltaic Conversion