Optimization of buffer layer/i-layer band alignment
- Resource Type
- Conference
- Authors
- Inoue, Yukari; Hala, Matej; Steigert, Alexander; Klenk, Reiner; Siebentritt, Susanne
- Source
- 2015 IEEE 42nd Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC) Photovoltaic Specialist Conference (PVSC), 2015 IEEE 42nd. :1-5 Jun, 2015
- Subject
- Aerospace
Components, Circuits, Devices and Systems
Engineered Materials, Dielectrics and Plasmas
Engineering Profession
Fields, Waves and Electromagnetics
Photonics and Electrooptics
Power, Energy and Industry Applications
Photovoltaic cells
Films
Numerical models
Zinc oxide
II-VI semiconductor materials
Indexes
Photoconductivity
thin film
photovoltaic cells
numerical simulation
conduction band offset
- Language
We investigate how conduction band offset between the buffer and the i-layer of Cu(InGa)Se2 solar cells affects their performance. Employing SCAPS simulations, we explore two specific cases with either a CdS buffer or an alternative Zn(OS) buffer of a higher conduction band energy. These studies are supported by experimental results using (ZnMg)O as a model i-layer material. We find that pure ZnO is the suitable i-layer for chalcogenide-based solar cells only if combined with the CdS buffer. However, another i-layer material with a higher conduction band edge is needed if CdS is replaced by an alternative buffer of a wider band gap, such as Zn(OS).