Title

Preparation of CIGSS thin-film solar cells by rapid thermal processing

Authors

Authors

S. S. Kulkarni; J. S. Shirolikar;N. G. Dhere

Comments

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Abbreviated Journal Title

J. Sol. Energy Eng. Trans.-ASME

Keywords

Energy & Fuels; Engineering, Mechanical

Abstract

Rapid thermal processing (RTP) provides a way to rapidly heat substrates to an elevated temperature to perform relatively short duration processes, typically less than 2-3 min long. RTP can be utilized to minimize the process cycle time without compromising process uniformity, thus eliminating a bottleneck in CuIn(1-x)Ga(x)Se(2-y)Sy (CIGSS) module fabrication. Some approaches have been able to realize solar cells with conversion efficiencies close or equal to those for conventionally processed solar cells with similar device structures. A RTP reactor for preparation of CIGSS thin films on 10 em X 10 cm substrates has been designed, assembled, and tested at the Florida Solar Energy Center's PV Materials Lab. This paper describes the synthesis and characterization of CIGSS thin-film solar cells by the RTP technique. Materials characterization of these films was done by scanning electron microscopy, x-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, Auger electron spectroscopy, electron probe microanalysis, and electrical characterization was done by current-voltage measurements on soda lime glass substrates by the RTP technique. Encouraging results were obtained during the first few experimental sets, demonstrating that reasonable solar cell efficiencies (up to 9%) can be achieved with relatively shorter cycle times, lower thermal budgets, and without using toxic gases.

Journal Title

Journal of Solar Energy Engineering-Transactions of the Asme

Volume

129

Issue/Number

3

Publication Date

1-1-2007

Document Type

Article; Proceedings Paper

Language

English

First Page

323

Last Page

326

WOS Identifier

WOS:000248524300012

ISSN

0199-6231

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