Microcrystalline silicon and ‘micromorph’ tandem solar cells

The case for thin-film silicon as one of the main future options for cost-effective photovoltaic solar cells is outlined. The limitations of present amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells are briefly mentioned. Hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si:H) deposited by PECVD (plasma-enhanced chemi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Thin solid films 2002-02, Vol.403, p.179-187
Main Authors: Shah, Arvind, Meier, J., Vallat-Sauvain, E., Droz, C., Kroll, U., Wyrsch, N., Guillet, J., Graf, U.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
c-Si:H layers
Micromorph
Photovoltaic solar cells
Thin-film silicon
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Summary:The case for thin-film silicon as one of the main future options for cost-effective photovoltaic solar cells is outlined. The limitations of present amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) solar cells are briefly mentioned. Hydrogenated microcrystalline silicon (μc-Si:H) deposited by PECVD (plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition) at low substrate temperatures (approx. 200 °C) constitutes a new and additional possibility for solar cells. Properties of intrinsic μc-Si:H layers deposited by PECVD at VHF (very high frequency) excitation frequencies are listed, together with the necessary conditions for obtaining device-grade material. Performances obtained so far with μc-Si:H solar cells are given; the latter are compared with estimated limits for pn- and pin-type devices with E g =1.1 eV. Finally, present performances and future perspectives for ‘micromorph’ (μc-Si:H/a-Si:H) tandem solar cells are discussed.
ISSN:0040-6090
1879-2731
DOI:10.1016/S0040-6090(01)01658-3