Ternary II-VI compound thin films for tandem solar cell applications

• Published in: Thin solid films Vol. 126; no. 1; pp. 23 - 29
• Main Authors: Kimmerle, J., Menner, R., Schock, H.W., Valera, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.1985
• ISSN: 0040-6090; 1879-2731
• DOI: 10.1016/0040-6090(85)90170-1

Zn x Cd 1− x S, ZnSe y Te 1− y and Zn 1− z Cd z Te thin films were prepared by vacuum deposition from special evaporation sources. The composition dependence of the absorption coefficient, the refractive index and the luminescence spectra as well as the electrical properties of both doped and undoped films were investigated. The I- V and spectral response characteristics of ZnTe-Zn x Cd 1− x S heterojunctions and ZnSe y Te 1− y graded p-n junctions are reported. Open-circuit voltages of up to 1.3 V have been achieved in electron-affinity-matched ZnTe-Zn x Cd 1− x S heterojunctions. Graded p-n ZnSe y Te 1− y junctions exhibit a promising performance ( U oc ≈ 1 V). Short-circuit currents of up to 4 mA cm -2 at air mass 1.5, corresponding to a quantum efficiency of over 50%, were obtained in both structures.