PLD Fabrication of CdTe-based Thin Film Solar Cells

ORAL

Abstract

This work explores \textit{in situ} fabrication of thin film solar cells using pulsed laser deposition (PLD). Optimization of the PLD processing conditions, including laser energy density, substrate temperature, and the PLD chamber pressure, was achieved with respect to pinhole-free CdS and CdTe layers and solar power conversion efficiency. By introducing a novel quantum based structure called Single Offset Superlattice (SOS) to the thin film cell, further increases to the efficiency have been made. SOS allows for tuning of the charge carrier density of the semiconductor. The efficiency of a thin film solar cell can be improved, relatively easily, by pairing the \textit{in situ} capability of PLD with the complicated structure of SOS. High efficiency up to 6.68{\%} has been demonstrated with a CdS (100nm)/CdTe (1500nm) cell and 8.88{\%} efficiency has been achieved with the introduction of SOS structure. Improved performance is expected with optimized PLD conditions and SOS dimensions.

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Authors

  • D. Jake Meeth

    University of Kansas Dept. of Physics \& Astronomy

  • Jianwei Liu

    University of Kansas Dept. of Physics \& Astronomy

  • Rongtao Lu

    University of Kansas Dept. of Physics \& Astronomy

  • Paul Harrison

    University of Kansas Dept. of Physics \& Astronomy

  • Jatinder Kumar

    Harvard U., Baker University, Bejing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Northrop Grumman, Baltimore, MD, University of Kansas Dept. of Physics \& Astronomy, Kansas State University, Department of Chemistry, College of Materials Science \& Engineering, Sichuan University, China, Illinois State University, Mullard Space Science Laboratory, University College of London, Holmbury St. Mary, United Kingdom, Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, United States, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel, Monmouth College, Missouri State University, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, Ames Laboratory. Department of Physics and Astronomy, Iowa State University, Siena College, \'Ecole Polytechnique F\'ed\'erale de Lausanne, Switzerland, Beijing National Laboratory for Condensed Matter Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kansas State University, Purdue University, Princeton University, Oklahoma State University, University of Chicago, University of Iowa, University of Kansas, University of Kansas and University of Iowa

  • Judy Wu

    University of Kansas Dept. of Physics \& Astronomy, University of Kansas