12% efficient CdTe/CdS thin film solar cells deposited by low-temperature close space sublimation

We report 12% efficient CdS/CdTe thin film solar cells prepared by low temperature close space sublimation (CSS). Both semiconductor films, CdS and CdTe, were deposited by high vacuum CSS in superstrate configuration on glass substrates with fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO) front contact. The CdTe deposition was carried out at a substrate temperature (T-sub) of <= 340 degrees C, which is much lower than that used in conventional processes (>500 degrees C). The CdTe films were treated with the usual CdCl2 activation process. Different optimal annealing times and temperatures were found for low-temperature cells (T-sub <= 340 degrees C) compared to high-temperature cells (T-sub = 520 degrees C). The influence of the activation step on the morphology of high-temperature and low-temperature CdTe is determined by XRD, AFM, SEM top views, and SEM cross-sections. Grain growth, strong recrystallization, and a reduction of planar defects during the activation step are observed, especially for low-temperature CdTe. Further, the influence of CdS deposition parameters on the solar cell performance is investigated by using three different sets of parameters with different deposition rates and substrate temperatures for the CdS preparation. Efficiencies about 10.9% with a copper-free back contact and 12.0% with a copper-containing back contact were achieved using the low temperature CdTe process. (c) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi: 10.1063/1.3639291]