3D Lifetime Tomography Reveals How CdCl<sub>2</sub> Improves Recombination Throughout CdTe Solar Cells.

Barnard, Edward S; Ursprung, Benedikt; Colegrove, Eric; Moutinho, Helio R; Borys, Nicholas J; Hardin, Brian E; Peters, Craig H; Metzger, Wyatt K et al. · Adv Mater · 2017

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Using two-photon tomography, carrier lifetimes are mapped in polycrystalline CdTe photovoltaic devices. These 3D maps probe subsurface carrier dynamics that are inaccessible with traditional optical techniques. They reveal that CdCl<sub>2</sub> treatment of CdTe solar cells suppresses nonradiative recombination and enhances carrier lifetimes throughout the film with substantial improvements particularly near subsurface grain boundaries and the critical buried p-n junction.