IMPROVED CDTE SOLAR CELL AND ARRAY ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS INVESTIGATION.
Abstract
Work on the basic physics and chemistry of the Cu2Te-CdTe system as well as means for defining the proper measuring and evaluation procedures of actual cells are presented in detail. Significant contributions towards improvement in understanding the more fundamental aspects of the CdTe solar cell were made in the following areas: use of optical microscopic techniques in ascertaining the 'metallography' of thin film cells; electron diffraction studies, maintenance tests, and diffusion and solubility measurements of copper in CdTe; and, solar cell spectral response measurements. Extensive studies have also been made on the effects on film and solar cell characteristics of three major variables in the film growth process: continual CuCl feed; effect on net donor concentration of CuCl feed rate; and, effect on net donor concentrations of variations in pumping speed. The combined effects of the CuCl powder flow rate and the measured reactor pressures have established an empirical relationship between those variables and the net impurity density (Nd-Na). A number of cell characteristics have been successfully correlated with (Nd-Na), and the correlation qualitatively accounted for by a proposed theoretical device model. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 31, 1968
- Accession Number
- AD0836612
Entities
People
- Richard S. Schlotterbeck
Organizations
- General Electric