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Kesterites and Chalcopyrites: A Comparison of Close Cousins

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  22 June 2011

Ingrid Repins
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
Nirav Vora
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
Carolyn Beall
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
Su-Huai Wei
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
Yanfa Yan
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
Manuel Romero
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
Glenn Teeter
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
Hui Du
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
Bobby To
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
Matt Young
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
Rommel Noufi
Affiliation:
National Renewable Energy Laboratory, 1617 Cole Blvd., Golden, CO 80401, U.S.A.
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Abstract

Chalcopyrite solar cells based on CuInSe2 and associated alloys have demonstrated high efficiencies, with current annual shipments in the hundreds of megawatts (MW) range and increasing. Largely due to concern over possible indium (In) scarcity, a related set of materials, the kesterites, which comprise Cu2ZnSnS4 and associated alloys, has received increasing attention. Similarities and differences between kesterites and chalcopyrites are discussed as drawn from theory, depositions, and materials characterization. In particular, we discuss predictions from density functional theory, results from vacuum co-evaporation, and characterization via x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, electron beam-induced current, quantum efficiency, secondary ion mass spectroscopy, and luminescence.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Materials Research Society 2011

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