Influence of thin metal as a top electrode on the characteristics of P-I-N a- Si:H solar cells
Hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) p-n junction solar cells have been fabricated which utilize various metals (Cr, Cu, Al, Pd, Ag) as a top electrode. Experimental and theoretical analysis of photovolatic performance in a-Si:H solar cells as a function of resistivity, optical transmittance, and work function of thin metal films are presented. Metal work function changes the effective built-in potential of p-n junction diodes. Furthermore, a lower work function metal forms a good Ohmic contact for substrate --P/sup +/-I-N/sup +/-- electrode cells, and high work function metals improve V/sub oc/ of substrate -N-I-P cells. Typical V/sub o/c values are 760 mV with Cr--, Cu--, and Al--N-I-P--stainless steel (SS), 700 mV with Pd--N-I-P-SS, 600 mV with Pd--P-I-N-SS, and 540 mV with Cr--P-I-N-SS. J/sub sc/ is strongly dependent on transmittance and resistivity of the metal films. Fill factor is independent of the choice of a top electrode. An efficient of 2% has been obtained on a 2 cm/sup 2/ solar cell.
- Research Organization:
- Department of Electrical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, Amherst, New York 14221
- OSTI ID:
- 6602848
- Journal Information:
- J. Appl. Phys.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Appl. Phys.; (United States) Vol. 52:4; ISSN JAPIA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
AMORPHOUS STATE
CHEMICAL REACTIONS
DATA
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT
ELECTRICAL INSULATORS
ELECTRODES
ELEMENTS
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FILMS
FUNCTIONS
HYDROGENATION
INFORMATION
JUNCTIONS
MATERIALS
MATHEMATICAL MODELS
METALS
N-TYPE CONDUCTORS
NUMERICAL DATA
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
P-N JUNCTIONS
P-TYPE CONDUCTORS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOELECTROMAGNETIC EFFECTS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
SEMICONDUCTOR JUNCTIONS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
SEMIMETALS
SILICON
SILICON SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
THEORETICAL DATA
WORK FUNCTIONS