A/sup I//sub 1-y/B/sup I//sub y/C/sup III/D/sup VI//sub 2x/E/sup VI//sub( 21-x/) pentenary alloy system and its application to photovoltaic solar energy conversion

Journal Article · Thu Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1979 · J. Appl. Phys.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.325854· OSTI ID:6024824

Shewchun, J; Loferski, J; Beaulieu, R; Chapman, G H; Garside, B K

This paper reports work on pentenary alloy systems similar to the quarternary system in In/sub 1-x/Ga/sub x/P/sub 1-y/As/sub y/. Such A/sup I//sub 1-y/B/sup I//sub y/C/sup III/D/sup VI//sub 2x/E/sup VI//sub( 21-x/) and A/sup II//sub 1-y/B/sup II//sub y/C/sup IV/D/sup V//sub 2x/E/sup V//sub( 21-x/) pentenary alloys are mixtures of ternary chalcopyrites of the I-III-VI/sub 2/ and II-IV-V/sub 2/ variety. These materials are of interest because their use can improve the performance of heterojunction electro-optic devices such as solar cells. This improvement arises because the pentenaries can permit different semiconductor layers to be deposited upon each other such that they are lattice and crystallographically matched, but at the same time have independently adjustable band gaps. More specifically, we have focused on the Cu/sub 1-y/Ag/sub y/InS/sub( 21-x/)Se/sub 2x/ system which appears to have the best potential of all the possible systems for solar energy applications. Samples were prepared by reacting stoichiometric powder mixtures at about 900 /sup 0/C. X-ray diffractometry indicated complete solid solubility over the whole compositional range. Cathodoluminescence was used to determine band gaps at 300 and 77 /sup 0/K and the spectra indicate that all alloys are direct-band-gap semiconductors. Isolattice constant and band-gap contour maps for the system have been obtained.

• Research Organization: Department of Engineering Physics and Physics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada L89 4M1
• OSTI ID: 6024824
• Journal Information: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 50:11; ISSN JAPIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140500* -- Solar Energy Conversion
ALLOYS
ARSENIC ALLOYS
CHALCOGENIDES
CHALCOPYRITE
CONVERSION
COPPER COMPOUNDS
COPPER SULFIDES
CRYSTAL LATTICES
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
CRYSTALLOGRAPHY
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRO-OPTICAL EFFECTS
ENERGY CONVERSION
GALLIUM ALLOYS
INDIUM ALLOYS
IRON COMPOUNDS
IRON SULFIDES
LAYERS
MINERALS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION
SULFIDES
SULFUR COMPOUNDS
TRANSITION ELEMENT COMPOUNDS