Type conversion, contacts, and surface effects in electroplated CdTe films

Abstract

Efficient electroplated CdS/CdTe solar cells can be fabricated by heat treating and type-converting the n-CdTe films deposited on CdS layers. In this paper, various mechanisms which may give rise to the conversion of electroplated CdTe films from n to p type are investigated. It is concluded that Cd-vacancy generation is the main mechanism of type conversion. Possible effects of oxygen on this mechanism are also discussed. Evaporated Au contacts to electroplated p-CdTe films were studied. It was found that the Au contacts depleted the excess Te present on the surface of Br2-methanol etched p-CdTe films. Oxygen was found to affect the electrical characteristics of such contacts.