Materials Analysis Methods for Examination of Solar Cells

摘要

Photovoltaic device performance depends on properties of thin-surface and near-surface layers of solid-state materials. Cell structures being investigated by SERI subcontractors for solar cells typically involve one or more thin-film layers of semiconducting material. The chemical and physical structure of these layered material systems affects photovoltaic cell performances. In particular, the composition, abruptness, and chemical nature of layer interfaces are important. Also of interest is the degree of crystallinity, grain size and orientation, and the physical nature of grain boundaries within the various layers. Comprehensive examination of the structure and chemistry of photovoltaic materials requires application of several analysis methods. An overview of materials analysis methods and a summary of capabilities of several methods available at HEDL are presented. (ERA citation 05:018591)