Studies of Grain Boundaries in Small-Grained Polycrystalline Silicon Solar Cells

摘要

Progress in the development of small-grained (10 to 100 mu m) polycrystalline Si solar cells is hampered by the present poor knowledge of physical and chemical properties of grain boundaries and the lack of satisfactory processing techniques for junction formation. In the work discussed in this paper we have studied grain boundaries and their effects in polycrystalline silicon with grain sizes of 1 to 2 mm and in smaller grained material with grain sizes of 10 mu m and 40 to 50 mu m. Results for various recombination effects observed in the large-grained material are described and the influence of lithium passivation on the electrical properties of the small-grained material and on the characteristics of solar cells made from it are reported. (ERA citation 08:055589)