Development of high efficiency, low cost ZnSiAs/sub 2/ solar cells. Quarterly technical progress report No. 1, April 9, 1979-June 30, 1979

Technical Report · Mon Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1979

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5910284· OSTI ID:5910284

Andrews, J E

The purpose of this study is to continue an investigation of one of the chalcopyrite semiconductors (ZnSiAs/sub 2/) in order to assess its suitability as a solar cell material. ZnSiAs/sub 2/ was previously synthesized using an open tube vapor phase epitaxial growth technique, and epitaxial layers of ZnSiAs/sub 2/ were deposited on Ge and GaAs substrates (both (001) and (112) ZnSiAs/sub 2/ on (100) and (111) substrates, respectively). Epitaxial deposits were routinely achieved while the surface appearance varied from mirror-like to a dull appearance which resulted from a relatively rough surface topography. Mirror-like finishes were clearly an achievable goal but required additional refinements in growth technique and substrate preparation before they could be routinely achieved. Three critical goals have been identified that must be achieved before ZnSiAs/sub 2/ can be realistically assessed: (1) hole concentrations must be reduced from the current 10/sup 18/ to 10/sup 19//cm/sup 3/ range to the 10/sup 16/ to 10/sup 17//cm/sup 3/ range; (2) n-type ZnSiAs/sub 2/ must be demonstrated; and (3) ZnSiAs/sub 2/ p-n junctions must be demonstrated. The approach taken and the progress made toward achieving these goals as well as the planned effort for the next quarter are described.

• Research Organization: Research Triangle Inst., Research Triangle Park, NC (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE
• DOE Contract Number: AC04-79ET23001
• OSTI ID: 5910284
• Report Number(s): DOE/ET/23001-T1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
360601 -- Other Materials-- Preparation & Manufacture
ARSENIC COMPOUNDS
ARSENIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
CHALCOPYRITE
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER SULFIDES
CRYSTAL GROWTH
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
EPITAXY
HOLES
ION IMPLANTATION
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFIDES
MINERALS
N-TYPE CONDUCTORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PNICTIDES
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SILICON ARSENIDES
SILICON COMPOUNDS
SOLAR CELLS
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
SURFACE FINISHING
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS
ZINC ARSENIDES
ZINC COMPOUNDS