Distinguishing bulk and surface recombination in CdTe thin films and solar cells using time-resolved terahertz and photoluminescence spectroscopies

Taheri, Mohammad M.; Truong, Triet M.; Li, Siming; Shafarman, William N.; McCandless, Brian E.; Baxter, Jason B.

doi:10.1063/5.0064730

Title: Distinguishing bulk and surface recombination in CdTe thin films and solar cells using time-resolved terahertz and photoluminescence spectroscopies

Journal Article · 28 October 2021 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0064730 · OSTI ID:1828279

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Drexel Univ., Philadelphia, PA (United States)
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Univ. of Delaware, Newark, DE (United States)

Understanding the nature of recombination and its dependence on defects and interfaces is essential for engineering materials and contacts for higher open circuit voltage (V_oc) and power conversion efficiency in photovoltaic (PV) devices. Time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) has conventionally been used to evaluate recombination, but carrier redistribution often dominates the response at short times. In this work, we report on the quantification of carrier dynamics and recombination mechanisms by complementary use of both time-resolved terahertz spectroscopy (TRTS) and TRPL combined with numerical modeling of the continuity equations and Poisson’s equation. We have demonstrated this approach using CdTe thin films. A thin film stack with CdTe fabricated by vapor transport deposition and treated with CdCl₂ exhibited a bulk lifetime of 1.7 ± 0.1 ns, negligible CdTe/CdS interface recombination velocity, and back surface recombination velocity of 6.3 ± 1.3 x10⁴ cm/s. In contrast, a film stack without CdCl₂ treatment had a bulk lifetime of only 68 ± 12 ps and a higher interface recombination velocity of 4 ± 2 x10⁸ cm/s. By determining the locus and mechanisms of performance-limiting recombination, we can accelerate the development of thin-film PVs with higher V_oc and efficiency. While the method has been demonstrated here using CdTe, it is also applicable to perovskites, Cu(InGa)Se₂, Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)_4, and emerging technologies.

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Research Organization:: Drexel Univ., Philadelphia, PA (United States); National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)

Sponsoring Organization:: USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), Renewable Power Office. Solar Energy Technologies Office

Grant/Contract Number:: EE0008986; AC36-08GO28308

OSTI ID:: 1828279

Alternate ID(s):: OSTI ID: 1828070; OSTI ID: 1834559

Report Number(s):: NREL/JA-5900-81617; DE-EE0008986; TRN: US2216039

Journal Information:: Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 130, Issue 16; ISSN 0021-8979

Publisher:: American Institute of Physics (AIP)Copyright Statement

Country of Publication:: United States

Language:: English

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Title: Distinguishing bulk and surface recombination in CdTe thin films and solar cells using time-resolved terahertz and photoluminescence spectroscopies

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