A Simulation Tool for Ion Transport in Semiconductors: Applications to Thin-film Photovoltaics

POSTER

Abstract

Thin-film photovoltaics (TFPV) such as cadmium telluride (CdTe) and copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) are leading candidates for cost-effective solar electricity. The impacts (positive or negative) of ion migration in these polycrystalline semiconductor devices is an area of ongoing research. Given the fact that grain boundaries exist in thin-film device components, diffusion mechanisms require special attention. In this work, we review the physics of ion transport in solids (crystalline and polycrystalline), develop a general numerical simulation tool for ion drift-diffusion, and validate it against literature data and analytical expressions for the technologically important cases of phosphorous and copper in CdTe, and sodium in CIGS. Calculations are conducted by the finite element method using COMSOL Multiphysics\textregistered software. After validation of this initial model, the simulation tool will be extended to predict the effects of ion migration on the performance of CdTe and CIGS devices by coupling it to a device simulator.

Authors

  • Anuja Parikh

    Bowling Green State University

  • Rudrakant Sollapur

    Miami University, The College of Wooster, University of Dayton, Ohio University and Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne National Laboratory, J. Stefen Inst., Slovenia, Ohio University, Institute of Physics, University of Belgrade, The University of Akron, Faculty of Physics, University of Belgrade, Institute for Multidisciplinary Research, University of Belgrade, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Bowling Green State University, Australian National University, Benet lab, Department of Physics and Electro-Optics Program University of Dayton, Dayton, OH 45469, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, Department of Physics, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, Electro-Optics Program, University of Dayton, Dayton, OH 45469, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Youngstown State University, University of Memphis, TN, Union College Barbourville, KY, Air Force Research Laboratory, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, WPAFB, OH, Arizona State University, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, WPAFB, OH 45433, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH, Case Western Reserve University, Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Cleveland, OH, Air Force Research Lab, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, WPAFB, OH, Ohio Northern Univ, University of Notre Dame, Miami Univ, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology e.V.; and Otto Schott Institute of Material Research, Abbe Center of Photonics, Leibniz Institute of Photonic Technology e.V., Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University; and Helmholtz Institute Jena, Institute of Optics and Quantum Electronics, Abbe Center of Photonics, Friedrich Schiller University