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Characterization of Thin Film CdTe photovoltaic materials deposited by high plasma density magnetron sputtering

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  20 June 2011

A. Abbas ,
J.W. Bowers ,
B. Maniscalco ,
S. Moh ,
G.D West ,
P.N. Rowley ,
H.M Upadhyaya  and
J. M. Walls
A. Abbas
Affiliation:
CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems and Technology), Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 4TU, UK Department of Materials, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK,
J.W. Bowers
Affiliation:
Department of Materials, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK,
B. Maniscalco
Affiliation:
Department of Materials, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK,
S. Moh
Affiliation:
Department of Materials, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK,
G.D West
Affiliation:
CREST (Centre for Renewable Energy Systems and Technology), Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 4TU, UK
P.N. Rowley
Affiliation:
Department of Materials, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK,
H.M Upadhyaya
Affiliation:
Department of Materials, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK,
J. M. Walls
Affiliation:
Department of Materials, Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU, UK,
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Abstract

A new magnetron sputtering strategy is introduced that utilizes high plasma density (~5mA.cm-2) to avoid or reduce high temperature processing. The technique uses magnetrons of opposing magnetic polarity to create a “closed field” in which the plasma density is enhanced without the need for high applied Voltages. A batch system has been used which employs a rotating vertical drum as the substrate carrier and a symmetrical array of linear magnetrons. The magnetrons are fitted with target materials for each of the thin films required in the photovoltaic (PV) stack including the CdTe absorber layer, CdS window layer, metal contact using the conventional superstrate configuration. The “closed field” sputtering technology allows scale up not only for larger batch system designs but it is also configurable for “in-line” or “roll to roll” formats for large scale production. The morphology of each of the layers is characterized using a variety of structural and optical techniques including Field Emission Gun SEM and X-ray diffraction (XRD).

Keywords

photovoltaicsputteringthin film
Type
Research Article
Information
MRS Online Proceedings Library (OPL) , Volume 1323: Symposium C – Advanced Materials Processing for Scalable Solar-Cell Manufacturing , 2011 , mrss11-1323-c06-08
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

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References

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