Abstract
Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) photovoltaic absorbers frequently develop Ga gradients during growth. These gradients vary as a function of growth recipe, and are important to device performance. Prediction of Ga profiles using classic diffusion equations is not possible because In and Ga atoms occupy the same lattice sites and thus diffuse interdependently, and there is not yet a detailed experimental knowledge of the chemical potential as a function of composition that describes this interaction. We show how diffusion equations can be modified to account for site sharing between In and Ga atoms. The analysis has been implemented in an Excel spreadsheet, and outputs predicted Cu, In, and Ga profiles for entered deposition recipes. A single set of diffusion coefficients and activation energies are chosen, such that simulated elemental profiles track with published data and those from this study. Extent and limits of agreement between elemental profiles predicted from the growth recipes and the spreadsheet tool are demonstrated.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
I.L. Repins, M.A. Contreras, B. Egaas, C. DeHart, J. Scharf, C.L. Perkins, B. To, and R. Noufi,Prog. Photovoltaics 16, 235, (2008)
S. Sridhar,Metall. Mater. Trans. A 41A, 543, (2010)
M. Ider, “Thermochemistry and Phase Diagram Studies in the Cu-In-Ga-Se System,” Ph.D. thesis, University of Florida, (2003)
H.P. Hermansson,Statens Karnkraftinspektion 95, 29, (1995)
C. Dagan, T. F. Ciszek, and D. Cahen,J. Phys. Chem.-US 96,11009, (1992)
K. Djessas, S. Yapi, G. Massé, M. Ibannain, and J. L. Gauffier,J. Appl. Phys.95, 4111, (2004.)
O. Lundberg, J. Lua, A. Rockett, M. Edoff, and L. Stolt,J. Phys. Chem. Solids 64, 1499, (2003)
M. Marudachalam, R.W. Birkmire, H. Hichri, J.M. Schultz, A. Swartzlander, and M.M. Al-Jassim,J. Appl. Phys. 82, 2896, (1997)
B. Namnuan, K. Yoodee, and S. Chatraphorn,J. Cryst. Growth 432, 24, (2015)
H. Rodriguez-Alvarez, R.Mainz, R. Caballero, D.Abou-Ras, M.Klaus, S.Gledhill, A. Weber, C.A. Kaufmann, and H.W. Schock,Sol. Energ. Mat. Sol. C.116, 102, (2013).
H. Rodriguez-Alvarez, R. Mainz, and S. Sadewasser,J. Appl. Phys.115, 204913, (2014).
S.M. Schleussner, T. Törndahl, M. Linnarsson, U. Zimmermann, Timo Wätjen, and M. Edoff,Prog. Photovoltaics 20, 284, (2012)
D.J. Schroeder, G.D. Berry, and A.A. Rockett ,Appl. Phys. Lett.69, 4068, (1996).
U. Tinter, and H.D. Wiemhofer,Solid State lonics 9 & 10, 1213, (1983)
P. Szaniawski, P. Salome, V. Fjallstrom, T. Torndahl, U. Zimmermann, and M. Edoff,IEEE Journ. Photovoltaics,5, 1775, (2015)
J. S. Park, Z. Dong, S. Kim, and J. H. Perepezko,J. Appl. Phys.87, 3683, (2000).
R. Caballero, V. Izquierdo-Roca, X. Fontane, C.A. Kaufmann, J. Alvarez-Garcıa, A. Eicke, L. Calvo-Barrio, A. Perez-Rodrıguez, H.W. Schock, and J.R. Morante,Acta Mater.58, 3468, (2010).
A. Chirila, S. Buecheler, F. Pianezzi, P. Bloesch, C. Gretener, A.R. Uhl, C. Fella, L. Kranz, J. Perrenoud, S. Seyrling, R. Verma, S. Nishiwaki, Y.E. Romanyuk, G. Bilger, and A.N. Tiwari,Nat. Mater.10, 857, (2011).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Repins, I.L., Harvey, S., Bowers, K. et al. Predicting Ga and Cu Profiles in Co-Evaporated Cu(In,Ga)Se2 Using Modified Diffusion Equations and a Spreadsheet. MRS Advances 2, 3169–3174 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2017.350
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/adv.2017.350