Study of CSS- and HVE-CdTe by different recrystallization processes

Romeo, A.; Buecheler, S.; Giarola, M.; Mariotto, G.; Tiwari, A. N.; Romeo, Nicola; Bosio, Alessio; Mazzamuto, Samantha

doi:10.1016/j.tsf.2008.10.129

CdTe polycrystalline thin film solar cells are highly scalable devices, showing stable performance and high efficiencies. A recrystallization treatment prior to the back contact deposition is essential for obtaining high efficiencies. Heat treatment in chlorine atmosphere (CdCl(2)) promotes grain growth, intermixing between US and CdTe layers and passivation of the grain boundaries. An alternative method has been previously introduced on close space sublimated (CSS) CdTe devices, consisting in treating CdTe layers in the presence of a gas belonging to the Freon (c) family at 400 degrees C. In this work, the application of this novel "activation process" on physical vapor deposited stacks is described. A comparison between physical/chemical features of the CdCl(2) and Freon treated layers is also presented. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Study of CSS- and HVE-CdTe by different recrystallization processes / A., Romeo; S., Buecheler; M., Giarola; G., Mariotto; A. N., Tiwari; Romeo, Nicola; Bosio, Alessio; Mazzamuto, Samantha. - In: THIN SOLID FILMS. - ISSN 0040-6090. - 517:7(2009), pp. 2132-2135. [10.1016/j.tsf.2008.10.129]