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Title: Influence of Surface Preparation on Scanning Kelvin Probe Microscopy and Electron Backscatter Diffraction Analysis of Cross Sections of CdTe/CdS Solar Cells: Preprint

Conference ·

In this work we investigated different methods to prepare cross sections of CdTe/CdS solar cells for EBSD and SKPM analyses. We observed that procedures used to prepare surfaces for EBSD are not suitable to prepare cross sections, and we were able to develop a process using polishing and ion-beam milling. This process resulted in very good results and allowed us to reveal important aspects of thecross section of the CdTe film. For SKPM, polishing and a light ion-beam milling resulted in cross sections that provided good data. We were able to observe the depletion region on the CdTe film and the p-n junction as well as the interdiffusion layer between CdTe and CdS. However, preparing good-quality cross sections for SKPM is not a reproducible process, and artifacts are often observed.

Research Organization:
National Renewable Energy Lab. (NREL), Golden, CO (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
DOE Contract Number:
AC36-08GO28308
OSTI ID:
1018864
Report Number(s):
NREL/CP-5200-51629; TRN: US201114%%375
Resource Relation:
Journal Volume: 1324; Conference: Presented at the 2011 Materials Research Society Spring Meeting, 25-29 April 2011, San Francisco, California
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English

References (6)

Electron backscatter diffraction and orientation imaging microscopy journal January 1997
Characterization of AlxGa1−xAs/GaAs heterojunction bipolar transistor structures using cross-sectional scanning force microscopy journal February 2000
Microtexture of chloride treated CdTe thin films deposited by CSS technique journal June 2007
Energetics and effects of planar defects in CdTe journal October 2001
Electron backscatter diffraction of CdTe thin films: Effects of CdCl2 treatment
  • Moutinho, H. R.; Dhere, R. G.; Romero, M. J.
  • Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology A: Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films, Vol. 26, Issue 4 https://doi.org/10.1116/1.2841523
journal July 2008
Investigation of potential and electric field profiles in cross sections of CdTe/CdS solar cells using scanning Kelvin probe microscopy journal October 2010

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