A new method for forming ZnTe contacts for CdTe cells (solar cells)

An electrochemical technique (galvanic) has been developed for directly depositing ZnTe films doped with Cu onto evaporated CdTe/CdS/ITO/glass substrates to form a semitransparent p/sup +/ contact to the CdTe. The CdTe/CdS/ITO/glass substrates were placed in a solution containing ZnCl/sub 2/ and dissolved TeO/sub 2/, and were short circuited externally to a Zn electrode. Uniform, single-phase ZnTe films were obtained for specific pH, temperature, and concentration regimes of the reacting ions. Copper doping of the ZnTe films was achieved by adding an appropriate amount of Cu/sup +2/ ions complexed with triethanolamine to the solution. The results of ZnTe:Cu/CdTe/CdS solar cells fabricated using this method are discussed.<>