The morphology, microstructure and luminescent properties of CdS/CdTe thin film solar cells

The morphology, microstructure and the luminescent properties of CdS and CdTe films were studied. The CdS films were grown by the solution growth method. The CdTe was deposited by either close space sublimation or physical vapor deposition. As-grown CdS films were polycrystalline with a grain size in the 200-600 /spl Aring/ range. Significant grain growth and reduction in defect density were observed in these films after CdCl/sub 2/ heat treatment. The CdTe films exhibited a high density of grain boundaries and structural defects within the grains. Both grain boundaries and intragrain defects are very active recombination sites. CdCl/sub 2/ treatment effected a marked grain growth and reduction in the recombination efficiency of the grain boundaries and intragrain defects.<
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