Advanced diagnostic and control methods of processes and layers in CIGS solar cells and modules

Process monitoring and quality assessment for Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 (CIGS) absorber layers is discussed. One focus is on laser light scattering (LLS) as a tool for process diagnostics. This technique can give in situ and real‐time information about CIGS film growth using sequential as well as evaporation...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Progress in photovoltaics 2010-09, Vol.18 (6), p.467-480
Main Authors: Scheer, Roland, Pérez-Rodríguez, Alejandro, Metzger, Wyatt K.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
chalcopyrite
Channels
CIGS
COMPUTERS
COPPER SELENIDE
Cu(In
Cu(In,Ga)Se2
Devices
Diagnostic software
ELECTRONIC PRODUCTS
Ga)Se2
INDUSTRIAL APPLICATIONS
Light scattering
MACHINE TOOLS
photoluminescence
Photovoltaic cells
Raman
Raman spectroscopy
SCATTERING
solar cell
Solar cells
SOLAR ENERGY
thin film
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Process monitoring and quality assessment for Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2 (CIGS) absorber layers is discussed. One focus is on laser light scattering (LLS) as a tool for process diagnostics. This technique can give in situ and real‐time information about CIGS film growth using sequential as well as evaporation processes. Raman spectroscopy is presented as a method to assess the fundamental structural properties of as‐grown films. Experience shows that the specific structure of Raman lines can be interpreted in relation to device performance. Raman spectroscopy is particularly useful for material development and achieving at least average solar cell efficiencies. Time‐resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) goes one step further and is generally related to the solar cell performance. It tracks carrier population decay after optical excitation and thus gives quantitative information about the most efficient recombination channels and material quality. It is apt to optimise the absorber of highly efficient devices. We will recommend how to use the three methods appropriately and will discuss requirements for industrial applications. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. CuInGaSSe solar cell production can use laser light scattering for process control as well as Raman scattering and time‐resolved photoluminescence for quality control. We discuss the principles, strengths, and weaknesses of these methods and give guidance for their application.
ISSN:1062-7995
1099-159X
1099-159X
DOI:10.1002/pip.966