CdTe synthesis and crystal growth using the high-pressure Bridgman technique

Journal Article · 08 January 2020 · Journal of Crystal Growth

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrysgro.2019.125466 · OSTI ID:1596252

Al-Hamdi, Tawfeeq K. ^[1]; McPherson, Seth W. ^[2]; Swain, Santosh K. ^[2]; Jennings, Joshah ^[2]; Duenow, Joel N. ^[3]; Zheng, Xin ^[3]; Albin, David S. ^[3]; Tuerxunjiang, Abulikemu  ^[3]; Colegrove, Eric M.  ^[3]; Amarasinghe, Mahisha ^[3]; Ferguson, Andrew J.  ^[3]; Metzger, Wyatt K. ^[3]; Szeles, Csaba ^[4]; Lynn, Kelvin G. ^[2]

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1. Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States); Mustansiriya Univ. Baghdad (Iraq)
2. Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States)
3. National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
4. Nious Technologies Inc., Pittsburgh, PA (United States)

Efficient, safe and cost-effective synthesis of CdTe from elements is rather challenging in silica sealed ampoules due to the high vapor pressure of Cd. In this article, we report on the integrated synthesis and crystal growth of high-purity CdTe using the high pressure Bridgman (HPB) technique that is scalable to large volumes. The process lends itself for cost competitive industrial production of polycrystalline feedstock material for photovoltaics, sensors and electro-optic applications. Cadmium telluride (CdTe) crystals exceeding 1 kg in size were synthesized from elemental Cd and Te sources with purity comparable to state-of-the-art gamma ray detector crystals. In addition, synthesis of highly-doped CdTe feedstock for thin film photovoltaics applications demonstrating effective incorporation of group V (As, Sb) dopants was achieved at growth speeds of ~500 mm/hr. The technique may be applicable to produce other II-VI compounds with volatile components.

• Research Organization: National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States); Washington State Univ., Pullman, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE); USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office; USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Solar Energy Technologies Office (EE-4S)
• Grant/Contract Number: AC36-08GO28308; EE0007537
• OSTI ID: 1596252
• Report Number(s): NREL/JA--5K00-75774
• Journal Information: Journal of Crystal Growth, Journal Name: Journal of Crystal Growth Journal Issue: C Vol. 534; ISSN 0022-0248
• Publisher: ElsevierCopyright Statement
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English