The impact of processing on the optical absorption onset of CdTe thin-films and solar cells

We critically examine how two processing steps commonly applied in the preparation of cadmium telluride (CdTe)-based solar cells, i.e., the cadmium chloride treatment and the subsequent stepwise bromine/methanol wet etching process, impact the structural and optical properties of polycrystalline CdT...

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Published in:Journal of applied physics 2021-04, Vol.129 (16)
Main Authors: Andrews, J. J., Beaudoin, M., O’Leary, S. K., Koirala, P., Ramanujam, B., Tan, X., Razooqi Alaani, M. A., Pradhan, P., Podraza, N. J., Collins, R. W.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Absorbers
Absorptivity
Applied physics
Bromine
Cadmium
Cadmium chloride
Cadmium telluride
Cadmium tellurides
Carrier recombination
Diffraction patterns
Multilayers
Optical properties
Photothermal deflection spectroscopy
Photovoltaic cells
Quantum efficiency
Solar cells
Spectroellipsometry
Sublimation
Thin films
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container_issue 16
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container_title Journal of applied physics
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creator Andrews, J. J.
Beaudoin, M.
O’Leary, S. K.
Koirala, P.
Ramanujam, B.
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Razooqi Alaani, M. A.
Pradhan, P.
Podraza, N. J.
Collins, R. W.
description We critically examine how two processing steps commonly applied in the preparation of cadmium telluride (CdTe)-based solar cells, i.e., the cadmium chloride treatment and the subsequent stepwise bromine/methanol wet etching process, impact the structural and optical properties of polycrystalline CdTe thin-films. In particular, drawing upon a conjuncture of photothermal deflection spectroscopy and spectroscopic ellipsometry experimental results, we determine the spectral dependence of the optical absorption coefficient, α(E), over the photon energy range from 1.1 to 2.0 eV for samples of rf sputtered (RFS) and close space sublimation (CSS) CdTe. The impact of these processing steps on shaping the grazing incidence x-ray diffraction pattern is also examined. We extend the analysis to devices through interpretation of the spectral dependence of the external quantum efficiency associated with two cadmium chloride treated CdTe-based solar cells. The cells are comparably prepared with the exception of the absorber, one by RFS and the other by CSS. Through the use of our results for the thin-film CdTe optical functions and a model for the solar cell multilayer structure, we simulate the resultant external quantum efficiency spectrum. Through a critical contrast with the corresponding solar cell acquired experimental results, we glean insights into the carrier trapping and recombination processes that occur within the two types of CdTe absorbers.
doi_str_mv 10.1063/5.0033415
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subjects Absorbers
Absorptivity
Applied physics
Bromine
Cadmium
Cadmium chloride
Cadmium telluride
Cadmium tellurides
Carrier recombination
Diffraction patterns
Multilayers
Optical properties
Photothermal deflection spectroscopy
Photovoltaic cells
Quantum efficiency
Solar cells
Spectroellipsometry
Sublimation
Thin films
title The impact of processing on the optical absorption onset of CdTe thin-films and solar cells
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