Incorporation of Cd1-xMgx Te as an Electron Reflector for Cadmium Telluride Photovoltaic Cells. Issue 1771 (30th April 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Swanson, Drew E.; Abbas, Ali; Munshi, Amit H.; Drayton, Jennifer A.; Raguse, John M.; Geisthardt, Russell M.; Sites, James R.; Sampath, Walajabad S.
• Editors: Gloeckler, M.; Tiwari, A.N.; Yamada, A.; Yan, Y.; Kim, J.Y.; Miyasaka, T.; Mora-Seró, I.; Zhu, K.; Andersson, M.; Manca, J.V.; Palomares, E.; Vandewal, K.; Li, T.; Mastro, M.; Tao, M.; Wang, Q.
• Is Part Of: MRS proceedings. Issue 1771(2015)
• Publication Date: 2015-04-30
• Subjects: photovoltaic, -- physical vapor deposition (PVD), -- scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM); Electrical engineering -- Congresses; Physics -- Congresses; Materials -- Research -- Congresses; Materials science -- Congresses; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1557/opl.2015.389
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0272-9172

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The addition of a CdMgTe (CMT) layer at the back of a CdTe solar cell should improve its performance by reflecting both photoelectrons and forward-current electrons away from the rear surface. Higher collection of photoelectrons will increase the cell's current, and reduction of forward current will increase its voltage. To achieve electron reflection, conformal CMT layers were deposited at the back of CdTe cells, and a variety of measurements including performance curves, transmission electron microscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy were performed. Oxidation of magnesium in the CMT layer was addressed by adding a CdTe capping layer. MgCl2 passivation was substituted for CdCl2 in some cases, but little difference was seen.