Raghu N. Bhattacharya

15.4% CuIn1−xGaxSe2-based photovoltaic cells from solution-based precursor films

We have fabricated 15.4%- and 12.4%-efficient CuIn1-XGaXSe2 (CIGS)-based photovoltaic devices from solution-based electrodeposition (ED) and electroless-deposition (EL) precursors. As-deposited precursors are Cu-rich CIGS. Additional In, Ga, and Se are added to the ED and EL precursor films by physical vapor deposition (PVD) to adjust the final film composition to CuIn1-XGaXSe2. The ED and EL device parameters are compared with those of a recent world record, an 18.8%-efficient PVD device. The tools used for comparison are current voltage, capacitance voltage, and spectral response characteristics.

CuIn1−xGaxSe2-based photovoltaic cells from electrodeposited precursor films

We have developed an electrodeposition bath based on a buffer solution so that the stability of the electrodeposition process is enhanced and no metal oxides or hydroxides precipitate out of solution. The buffer-solution-based bath also deposits more gallium in the precursor films. As-deposited precursors are stoichiometric or slightly Cu-rich CuIn1−xGaxSe2. Only a minimal amount of indium was added to the electrodeposited precursor films by physical vapor deposition to obtain a 9.4%-efficient device.

18.5% Copper Indium Gallium Diselenide (CIGS) Device Using Single-Layer, Chemical-Bath-Deposited ZnS(O,OH)

The recent development of a chemical-bath-deposited (CBD) ZnS(O,OH) layer that enabled an 18.5%-efficient copper indium gallium diselenide (CIGS) devices using a single-layer of CBD ZnS(O,OH) is reported in this paper. Such buffer layers could potentially replace CdS in the CIGS solar cell.

Compositional and optoelectronic properties of CIS and CIGS thin films formed by electrodeposition

Abstract CuInSe2 (CIS) and Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) thin films were prepared by electrodeposition and processing. The influence of film deposition parameters such as bath composition, pH, deposition potential and material purity on film properties was studied. The structural, morphological, compositional and opto-electronic properties of electrodeposited and selenized CIS and CIGS thin films were characterized using various techniques. As-deposited as well as selenized films exhibited a compact or a granular morphology depending on the composition. The film stoichiometry was improved after selenization at 550°C in a tubular furnace. The films are formed with a mixed phase composition of CuInSe2 and CuIn2Se3.5 ternary phases.

Thin-film CuIn1−xGaxSe2 photovoltaic cells from solution-based precursor layers

We have fabricated 15.4% and 12.4% efficient thin-film CuIn1−xGaxSe2 (CIGS)-based photovoltaic devices from solution-based electrodeposited (ED) and electroless-deposited (EL) precursors. As-deposited precursors are Cu-rich CIGS. Additional In, Ga, and Se are added to the ED and EL precursor films by physical vapor deposition (PVD) to adjust the final semiconductor film composition to CuIn1−xGaxSe2. The ED and EL device parameters are compared with those of a 17.7% PVD device. The tools used for comparison are current voltage, capacitance voltage, and spectral response characteristics.

High efficiency thin-film CuIn1−xGaxSe2 photovoltaic cells using a Cd1−xZnxS buffer layer

The authors have fabricated 19.52% thin-film CuIn1−xGaxSe2 (CIGS)-based photovoltaic devices using single layer chemical bath deposited Cd1−xZnxS (CdZnS) buffer layer. The efficiency equals the world record for any thin-film solar cell and is achieved with reduced optical absorption in the window layer. Using current-voltage, quantum efficiency, and capacitance-voltage measurements, the CIGS/CdZnS device parameters are directly compared with those of CIGS/CdS devices fabricated with equivalent absorbers.The authors have fabricated 19.52% thin-film CuIn1−xGaxSe2 (CIGS)-based photovoltaic devices using single layer chemical bath deposited Cd1−xZnxS (CdZnS) buffer layer. The efficiency equals the world record for any thin-film solar cell and is achieved with reduced optical absorption in the window layer. Using current-voltage, quantum efficiency, and capacitance-voltage measurements, the CIGS/CdZnS device parameters are directly compared with those of CIGS/CdS devices fabricated with equivalent absorbers.

CuIn1−xGaxSe2-based photovoltaic cells from electrodeposited and chemical bath deposited precursors

We have fabricated 13.7%- and 7.3%-efficient CuIn1−xGaxSe2 (CIGS)-based devices from electrodeposited and chemical bath deposited precursors. As-deposited precursors are Cu-rich films and polycrystalline (grain size is very small) in nature. Only preliminary data is presented on chemical bath deposited precursors. Additional In, Ga, and Se were added to the precursor films by physical evaporation to adjust the final composition to CuIn1−xGaxSe2. Addition of In and Ga and also selenization at high temperature are very crucial to obtain high efficiency devices. Three devices with Ga/(In+Ga) ratios of 0.16, 0.26, and 0.39 were fabricated from electrodeposited precursors. The device fabricated from the chemical bath deposited precursor had a Ga/(In+Ga) ratio of 0.19. The films/devices have been characterized by inductive-coupled plasma spectrometry, Auger electron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, electron-probe microanalysis, current-voltage characteristics, capacitance–voltage, and spectral response. The compositional uniformity of the electrodeposited precursor films both in the vertical and horizontal directions were studied. The electrodeposited device parameters are compared with those of a 17.7% physical vapor deposited device.

Progress in Performance Improvement and New Research Areas for Cost Reduction of 2G HTS Wires

Second-generation (2G) HTS wires are now being produced routinely in kilometer lengths using Metal Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) process with critical currents of 300 A/cm. While this achievement is enabling several prototype devices, in order to reach a substantial commercial market, the cost-performance metrics of 2G HTS wires need to be significantly improved in device operating conditions. Zr-doping has been found to be an effective approach to improve in-field critical current performance of MOCVD-based HTS wires. In this work, we have explored modifications to the Zr-doped precursor compositions to achieve three and two-fold increase in deposition rate in research and production MOCVD systems respectively. Production wires made with modified Zr-doped compositions exhibit a self-field critical current density of 50 MA/cm2 at 4.2 K and a 55 to 65% higher performance than our previous wires with Zr-doping, over magnetic field range of 0 to 30 T. We have also developed an alternate, low-cost technique, namely electrodeposition, to deposit silver overlayer on superconducting film. Wires made with electrodeposited silver are able to sustain the same level of overcurrent as sputtered silver layers. This process has been successfully scaled up to 100 m lengths.

Electrodeposition of In‐Se, Cu‐Se, and Cu‐In‐Se Thin Films

Indium-selenium, copper-selenium, and copper-indium-selenium thin films have been prepared by electrodeposition techniques on molybdenum substrates. Electrodeposited precursors are prepared at varying potentials, pH, and deposition times. The adhesion and uniformity of indium selenide on molybdenum substrates are improved by electrodepositing an initial copper layer (500 {angstrom}) on molybdenum. The films (In-Se, Cu-Se, and Cu-In-Se) are annealed at 250 and 450 C in Ar for 15 min and are slow-cooled (3 C/min). The films are characterized by electron microprobe analysis, inductive-coupled plasma spectrometry, X-ray diffraction analysis, Auger electron spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The as-deposited precursor films are loaded in a physical evaporation chamber and addition In or Cu and Se are added to the film to adjust the final composition to CuInSe{sub 2}. The device fabricated using electrodeposited Cu-In-Se precursor layers resulted in a solar cell efficiency of 9.4%.

CIS and CIGS based photovoltaic structures developed from electrodeposited precursors

Abstract In the present study we report the electrodeposition and characterization of CIS and CIGS thin films and a post-deposition thermal processing in vacuum to improve the film stoichiometry by incorporating additional In, Ga and Se. Different kinds of analyses showed that CIS as well as CIGS possess a very thin In-rich surface n-layer. The formation and characterization of solar cell structures from the electrodeposited precursor with the configuration glass/Cr/Mo/CIS(CIGS)/CdS/ZnO/MgF 2 is also reported. The optoelectronic properties such as Voc, Isc, FF, η etc. of the cells are presented.