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Recombination Kinetics and Stability in Polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Solar Cells

Journal Article · · Thin Solid Films

Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) measurements indicate that bare Cu(In,Ga)Se{sub 2} (CIGS) films degrade when they are exposed to air or stored in nitrogen-purged dry boxes. The degradation significantly affects device performance and electro-optical measurements. Measuring films prior to degradation reveals long lifetimes and distinct recombination properties. For high-quality material, the surface recombination velocity at grain boundaries, bare CIGS surfaces, and CIGS/CdS interfaces is less than 10{sup 3} cm/s, and lifetime values are often greater than 50 ns. In high injection, CIGS has recombination properties similar to GaAs. On completed devices, charge-separation dynamics can be characterized.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO.
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-99GO10337
OSTI ID:
950719
Journal Information:
Thin Solid Films, Journal Name: Thin Solid Films Journal Issue: 7, 2 February 2009 Vol. 517; ISSN THSFAP; ISSN 0040-6090
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

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