Reaction engineering and precursor film deposition for CIS synthesis

Abstract

We present an analysis of alternative reaction pathways for the synthesis of CuInSe2-based films for photovoltaic applications based on our recent and ongoing investigations of the thermochemistry in the Cu-In-Se ternary, Na-Cu-In-Se quaternary, and constituent unary and binary systems. We also describe our efforts to determine the relationship between film growth conditions in our novel rotating-disc system and resultant phase constitution of precursor reactant films intended for subsequent ex-situ rapid thermal processing. A model for the phase chemistry of sodium in CIS films is presented.