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

    Authors

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

    Comments

    Authors: contact us about adding a copy of your work at STARS@ucf.edu

    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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