Liquid-phase deposition of single-phase alpha-copper-indium-diselenide

Based on the first complete Cu-In-Se phase diagram, which was recently established, we propose a new method for making single-phase copper-indium-diselenide (CuInSe2) films for high-specific-power photovoltaic applications: "liquid-phase deposition." Contrary to established methods, in particular physical vapor deposition, liquid-phase deposition operates close to thermodynamic equilibrium and should therefore yield films with a smaller concentration of defects and better photovoltaic performance. First results are presented to demonstrate the feasibility of this approach. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.