Characterization of microcrystalline I-layer for solar cells prepared in low temperature - plastic compatible process

Rafal Sliz, Arman Ahnood, Arokia Nathan, Risto Myllyla, Ghassan E. Jabbour

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Microcrystalline silicon (mc-Si) films deposited using a Plasma Enhanced Chemical Vapour Deposition (PECVD) process constitute an important material for manufacturing low-cost, large-area thin-film devices, such as solar cells or thin-film transistors. Although the deposition of electronic-grade mc-Si using the PECVD process is now well established, the high substrate temperature required (∼ 300◦C) does not lend itself to electronic devices with flexible form factors fabricated on low-cost plastic substrates. In this study, we first investigated an intrinsic mc-Si layer deposited at plastic-compatible substrate temperatures (150◦C) by characterising the properties of the film and then evaluated its applicability to p-i-n solar cells though device characterisation. When the performance of the solar cell was correlated with film properties, it was found that, although it compared unfavourably with mc-Si deposited at higher temperatures, it remained a very promising option. Nonetheless, further development is required to increase the overall efficiency of mc-Si flexible solar cells.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationPhotonics for Solar Energy Systems IV
PublisherSPIE-Intl Soc Optical Eng
ISBN (Print)9780819491305
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 1 2012

Bibliographical note

KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01

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