• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.16-20
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• 2015

Ag addition in chalcopyrite materials is known to lead beneficial changes in aspects of structural and electronic properties. In this work, the effects of Ag alloying of $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$-based solar cells has been investigated. Wide bandgap $(Ag,Cu)(In_{1-x},Ga_x)Se_2$ (x = 0.75~0.8) films have been deposited using a three-stage co-evaporation with various Ag/(Ag+Cu) ratios. With Ag alloying the $(Ag,Cu)(In_{1-x},Ga_x)Se_2$ (x~0.8) films were found to have greater grainsize and film thickness. Device were also fabricated with the $(Ag,Cu)(In_{1-x},Ga_x)Se_2$ (x~0.8) films and their J-V and quantum efficiency measurements were carried out. The highest-efficiency $(Ag,Cu)(In_{1-x},Ga_x)Se_2$ solar cell with Eg > 1.5 eV had an efficiency of 12.2% with device parameters $V_{OC}=0.810V$, $J_{SC}=21.7mA/cm^2$, and FF = 69.0%.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2011.11a
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• pp.47.1-47.1
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• 2011

We report on a direct measurement of two-dimensional chemical and electrical distribution on the surface of photovoltaic Cu(In,Ga)$Se_2$ thin-films using a nano-scale spectroscopic and electrical characterization, respectively. The Raman measurement reveals non-uniformed surface phonon vibration which comes from different compositional distribution and defects in the nature of polycrystalline thin-films. On the other hand, potential analysis by scanning Kelvin probe force microscopy shows a higher surface potential or a small work function on grain boundaries of the thin-films than on the grain surfaces. This demonstrates the grain boundary is positively charged and local built-in potential exist on grain boundary, which improve electron-hole separation on grain boundary. Local electrical transport measurements with scanning probe microscopy on the thin-films indicates that as external bias is increases, local current is started to flow from grain boundary and saturated over 0.3 V external bias. This accounts for carrier behavior in the vicinity of grain boundary with regard to defect states. We suggest that electron-hole separation at the grain boundary as well as chemical and electrical distribution of polycrystalline Cu(In,Ga)$Se_2$ thin-films.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.23 no.6
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• pp.283-290
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• 2013

A stoichiometric mixture of evaporating materials for $MgGa_2Se_4$ single crystal thin films was prepared from horizontal electric furnace. To obtain the single crystal thin films, $MgGa_2Se_4$ mixed crystal was deposited on thoroughly etched semi-insulating GaAs(100) substrate by the Hot Wall Epitaxy (HWE) system. The source and substrate temperatures were $610^{\circ}C$ and $400^{\circ}C$, respectively. The crystalline structure of the single crystal thin films was investigated by double crystal X-ray diffraction (DCXD). The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of the $MgGa_2Se_4$ obtained from the absorption spectra was well described by the Varshni's relation, $E_g(T)=2.34 eV-(8.81{\times}10^{-4}eV/K)T^2/(T+251K)$. The crystal field and the spin-orbit splitting energies for the valence band of the $MgGa_2Se_4$ have been estimated to be 190.6 meV and 118.8 meV, respectively, by means of the photocurrent spectra and the Hopfield quasicubic model. These results indicate that the splitting of the ${\Delta}so$ definitely exists in the ${\Gamma}_5$ states of the valence band of the $MgGa_2Se_4$/GaAs epilayer. The three photocurrent peaks observed at 10 K are ascribed to the $A_{1^-}$, $B_{1^-}$exciton for n = 1 and $C_{27}-exciton$ peaks for n = 27.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2003.07a
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• pp.331-334
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• 2003

Photovoltaics is considered as one of the most promising new energy technology, because its energy source is omni present, pollution-free and inexhaustive. It is agreed that these solar cells must be thin film type because thin film process is cost-efficive in the fact that it uses much less raw materials and can be continuous. The defect chalcopyrite material $CuIn_3Se_5$ has been identified as playing an essential role in efficient photovoltaic action in $CuInSe_2$-based devicesm It has been reported to be of n-type conductivity, forming a p-n junction with its p-type counterpart $CuInSe_2$. Because the most efficient cells consist of the $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ quarternary, knowledge of some physical properties of the Ga-containing defect chalcopyrite $Cu(In,Ga)_3Se_5$ may help us better understand the junction phenomena in such devices.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.27-31
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• 2015

It is known that sulfide at the $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ ($CIGSe_2$) surface plays a positive role in $CIGSe_2$ solar cells. We investigated the substitution of S with Se on the $CIGSe_2$ surface in S atmosphere. We observed that the sulfur content in the $CIGSe_2$ films changed according to sulfurization temperature and Cu/(In+Ga) ratio. The sulfur content in the $CIGSe_2$ films increased with increasing the annealing temperature and Cu/(In+Ga) ratio. Also Cu migration toward the surface increased at higher temperature. Since high Cu concentration at the $CIGSe_2$ surface is detrimental role, it is necessary to reduce the S annealing temperature as low as $200^{\circ}C$. The cell performance was improved at $200^{\circ}C$ sulfurization.

• Electrical & Electronic Materials
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.555-561
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• 1997

The passivation of n-GaAs(100) surface has investigated by photoreflectance(PR). The surface of the sample was treated with the 0.001 N solution Se/NH$_4$OH. After the surface treatment, the samples were annealed between 400 to $700^{\circ}C$ in a $N_2$atmosphere for 10 min. The intensity of PR signal and period of Franz-Deldysh oscillation(FKO) gradually decreased as the annealing temperature increased. The surface electric field(E$_{s}$) of the sample annealed at $600^{\circ}C$ is obtained 1.34$\times$10$^{5}$ V/cm. This value is 1.97 times less than that of unannealed sample. It has found that the passivation of surface occurred when the surface of the sample had been treated with Se/NH$_4$OH solution and annealed from 500 to $600^{\circ}C$. This result could be due to activation of elemental Se on the surface. It has also found that the elemental Se of the surface diffused about 100 $\AA$ into the bulk GaAs when Se-treated sample was annealed at $600^{\circ}C$.>.

• 한국태양에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2012.03a
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• pp.149-152
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• 2012

$Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ (CIGS) is one of the most promising photovoltaic materials because of large conversion efficiency which has been achieved with an optimum Ga/(In+Ga) composition in $CuIn_{1-x}Ga_xSe_2$ (X~0.3). The Ga/(In+Ga) content is important to determine band gap, solar cell performances and carrier behaviors at grain boundary (GB). Effects of Ga/(In+Ga) content on physical properties of the CIGS layers have been extensively studied. In previous research, it is reported that GB is not recombination center of CIGS thin-film solar cells. However, GB recombination and electron-hole pair behavior studies are still lacking, especially influence of with different X on CIGS thin-films. We obtained the GB surface potential, local current and I-V characteristic of different X (00.7 while X~0.3 showed higher potential than 100 mV on GBs. Higher potential on GBs appears positive band bending. It can decrease recombination loss because of carrier separation. Therefore, we suggest recombination and electron-hole behaviors at GBs depending on composition of X.

• Journal of Powder Materials
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.338-342
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• 2014

In the present work, we investigated the mechanical alloying of binary Ga-Se(1:1) and Ga-Te(1;1) sysyems. The high-energy ball-milling was performed at $40^{\circ}C$ where one of constituents (Ga) is molten state. The purpose of the work was to see whether reactions between constituent elements are accelerated by the presence of a liquid phase. During the ball-milling, the liquid Ga phase completely disappeared and the resulting powders consist of nanocrystalline grain of ~20 nm with partly amorphized phases. However, no intermetallic compounds formed in spite of the presence of the liquid phases which has much higher diffusivity than solid constituents. By subsequent heat-treatments, the intermetallic compounds such as GaSe and GaTe formed at relatively low temperatures. The formation temperature of theses compound was much lower than those predicted by equilibrium phase diagram. The comparison of the ball-milled powders with un-milled ones indicated that the easy formation of intermetallic compound or allying occurs at low temperatures.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.46.2-46.2
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• 2011

CuInSe2 (CIS)계 화합물은 3족 원소(Ga, Al) 또는 6족 원소(S)를 첨가하여 밴드갭 조절이 가능하다는 장점을 가지고 있다. 실제로 동시 증발법으로 Ga을 첨가하여 만든 CuIn0.7Ga0.3Se2(CIGS) 태양전지는 약20%의 높은 효율 보이고 있다. 그러나 최고 효율을 달성한 동시 증발법은 대면적화가 어렵다는 점이 상용화의 걸림돌로 작용하고 있다. 따라서, 그 대안으로 대면적화가 용이한 스퍼터링 및 셀렌화 공정 연구가 진행되고 있다. 그러나 스퍼터링/셀렌화 공정은 Cu-In-Ga 금속 전구체의 셀렌화 시 Ga이 Mo쪽으로 이동하여 CIS/CGS 2개의 상으로 형성된다는 큰 단점을 갖고 있다. 이를 해결하기 위해 셀렌화 후 다시 H2S 기체 분위기에서 열처리하여 표면 밴드갭을 증가시키는 공정이 사용되고 있으나, 이는 열처리 과정이 2번 필요하다는 단점을 갖고 있다. 이러한 단점을 해결하고자 본 연구에서는 금속 전구체의 구조, 셀렌화 공정 조건 및 전구체 내의 상(phase) 조절을 통해 셀렌화 시 Ga segregation을 억제하고자 하였다. 특히 전구체의 상 조절을 통해서 Ga의 이동을 크게 완화시킬 수 있음을 확인하였다.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.39-44
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• 2015

$Cu(In,Ga)_3Se_5$ (${\beta}-CIGS$) has a band gap of 1.35 eV which is an optimum value for high solar-energy conversion efficiency. However, ${\beta}-CIGS$ film was not well characterized yet due to lower efficiency compared to $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ (${\alpha}-CIGS$). In this work, ${\beta}-CIGS$ films were fabricated by a three-stage co-evaporation of elemental sources with various Se fluxes. As the Se flux increased, the crystallinity of ${\beta}-CIGS$ phase was improved from the analysis of Raman spectroscopy and a deep-level defect was reduced from the analysis of photoluminescence spectroscopy. A Se treatment of the ${\beta}-CIGS$ film at $200^{\circ}C$ increased Ga content and decreased Cu content at the surface of the film. With the Se treatment at $200^{\circ}C$, the cell efficiency was greatly improved for the CIGS films prepared with low Se flux due to the increase of short-circuit current and fill factor. It was found that the main reason of performance improvement was lower Cu content at the surface instead of higher Ga content.