Materials aspects of CdTe/CdS solar cells

The current state of CdTe/CdS solar cell development is reviewed with emphasis on the understanding of the materials behaviour. Metallurgical and optoelectronic changes effected by the CdCl2 treatment are described with reference to the CdS-CdCl2 and CdTe-CdCl2 phase diagrams. Some studies relating to the nature, distribution and influence of important optoelectronic centres are described and some new results presented. These include FL, EBIC and CL. The potential for complex interaction of processing steps in the materials system is noted and key areas for future studies are highlighted. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.