Growth characteristics of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 thin films using 3-stage deposition process with a NaF precursor

Incorporation of alkali metals in chalcogenide solar cells

“…For a NaF thickness higher than 20 nm contradictory reports appear: cell degradation; peeling off of the CIGSe layer during the chemical bath deposition of CdS; or no effects. This approach has been used in several CIGSe growth processes: the traditional three-stage [8,121], low temperature co-evaporation processes [118,119], in-line co-evaporation processes [16,122,123], rapid thermal annealing [124] and both on flat and flexible substrates like steel [125] and polyimides [126,127]. For CZTSSe the same thickness range has been reported [78,80] but no detailed studies about the effects of thick or thin layers are yet known.…”

First-principles study on the alkali chalcogenide secondary compounds in Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and Cu2ZnSn(S,Se)4 thin film solar cells

“…However, several studies have showed that the AM may not only act as dopants but also form secondary phases in the absorber layer [4,11] . For example, some Na-Cu-(In,Ga)-Se secondary phases have been detected in the CIGS layer [11][12][13] .…”

“…However, several studies have showed that the AM may not only act as dopants but also form secondary phases in the absorber layer [4,11] . For example, some Na-Cu-(In,Ga)-Se secondary phases have been detected in the CIGS layer [11][12][13] . As we know, Na is prone to segregate not only on the surface but also on the grain boundary during the processing [9,12,[14][15][16][17] , and it is highly possible some Na-Cu-Ga-Se and Na-Cu-(In,Ga)-Se phases exist in the Na-rich regions [18] .…”

Characterization of Cu(InGa)Se2 (CIGS) thin films in solar cell devices

“…KIST01, as shown in Figure (d). There are still some debatable issues regarding the effects of Na on structural properties . The presence of Na induces an increase in grain size and crystal quality, as observed by Bodeg et al However, Rudmann et al observed a decrease in grain size when the NaF precursor is introduced in the deposition process .…”