Characterization of CdS–CuInSe2 solar cells by current–voltage, capacitance–voltage, and capacitance-transient measurements

Abstract

CdS–CuInSe2 solar cells, which have an efficiency of 9%, have been studied by current–voltage, capacitance–voltage, and capacitance-transient measurements over the temperature range 90–380 K. Deep-level transient spectroscopy analysis of the capacitance transient measurements reveals one majority carrier trap with an activation energy of 0.70 ± 0.02 eV. Although the present experiment cannot establish definitely if the trap is in the CdS or CuInSe2 layer, arguments are presented that it is a hole trap in the p-type CuInSe2 layer. Current–voltage measurements indicate a reversible increase in the reverse-bias leakage current with increasing temperature above 300 K. Evidence is presented that suggests that the rectifying barrier height in the CdS–CuInSe2 solar cell decreases rapidly with temperature above 300 K. Capacitance versus voltage measurements suggest that the depiction layer being studied is primarily in the CuInSe2, but the temperature dependence of the ionized charge concentration N(x) cannot be totally explained although one possible cause is suggested.