Innovative Sputtering Techniques for CIS and CdTe Submodule Fabrication, Annual Subcontract Report, 1 September 1991 - 31 August 1992

Technical Report · Mon Mar 01 04:00:00 EST 1993

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/6727780· OSTI ID:6727780

Armstrong, J. M.; Misra, M. S.; Lanning, B.

This report describes work done during Phase 1 of the subject subcontract. The subcontract was designed to study innovative deposition techniques, such as the rotating cylindrical magnetron sputtering system and electrodeposition for large-area, low-cost copper indium diselenide (CIS) and cadmium telluride (CdTe) devices. A key issue for photovoltaics (PV) in terrestrial and future space applications is producibility, particularly for applications using a large quantity of PV. Among the concerns for fabrication of polycrystalline thin-film PV, such as CIS and CdTe, are production volume, cost, and minimization of waste. Both rotating cylindrical magnetron (C-Mag[trademark]) sputtering and electrodeposition have tremendous potential for the fabrication of polycrystalline thin-film PV due to scaleability, efficient utilization of source materials, and inherently higher deposition rates. In the case of sputtering, the unique geometry of the C-Mae facilitates innovative cosputtering and reactive sputtering that could lead to greater throughput reduced health and safety risks, and, ultimately, lower fabrication cost. Electrodeposited films appear to be adherent and comparable with low-cost fabrication techniques. Phase I involved the initial film and device fabrication using the two techniques mentioned herein. Devices were tested by both internal facilities, as well as NREL and ISET.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
• DOE Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308
• OSTI ID: 6727780
• Report Number(s): NREL/TP-413-5406; ON: DE93000085
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140501* -- Solar Energy Conversion-- Photovoltaic Conversion
CADMIUM TELLURIDE SOLAR CELLS
COPPER SELENIDE SOLAR CELLS
DEPOSITION
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
DOCUMENT TYPES
ELECTRODEPOSITION
ELECTROLYSIS
EQUIPMENT
FABRICATION
FILMS
INDIUM SELENIDE SOLAR CELLS
LYSIS
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
PROGRESS REPORT
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
SPUTTERING
SURFACE COATING
THIN FILMS
copper indium diselenide
photovoltaics
solar cells
sputtering