• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2014.02a
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• pp.493-493
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• 2014

The manufacturing cost of thin-film photovoltics can potentially be lowered by minimizing the amount of a semiconductor material used to fabricate devices. Thin-film solar cells are typically only a few micrometers thick, whereas crystalline silicon (c-Si) wafer solar cells are $180{\sim}300\mu}m$ thick. As such, thin-film layers do not fully absorb incident light and their energy conversion efficiency is lower compared with that of c-Si wafer solar cells. Therefore, effective light trapping is required to realize commercially viable thin-film cells, particularly for indirect-band-gap semiconductors such as c-Si. An emerging method for light trapping in thin film solar cells is the use of metallic nanostructures that support surface plasmons. Plasmon-enhanced light absorption is shown to increase the cell photocurrent in many types of solar cells, specifically, in c-Si thin-film solar cells and in poly-Si thin film solar cell. By proper engineering of these structures, light can be concentrated and coupled into a thin semiconductor layer to increase light absorption. In many cases, silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NP) are formed either on the front surface or on the rear surface on the cells. In case of poly-Si thin film solar cells, Ag NPs are formed on the rear surface of the cells due to longer wavelengths are not perfectly absorbed in the active layer on the first path. In our cells, shorter wavelengths typically 300~500 nm are also not effectively absorbed. For this reason, a new concept of plasmonic nanostructure which is NPs formed both the front - and the rear - surface is worth testing. In this simulation Al NPs were located onto glass because Al has much lower parasitic absorption than other metal NPs. In case of Ag NP, it features parasitic absorption in the optical frequency range. On the other hand, Al NP, which is non-resonant metal NP, is characterized with a higher density of conduction electrons, resulting in highly negative dielectric permittivity. It makes them more suitable for the forward scattering configuration. In addition to this, Ag NP is located on the rear surface of the cell. Ag NPs showed good performance enhancement when they are located on the rear surface of our cells. In this simulation, Al NPs are located on glass and Ag NP is located on the rear Si surface. The structure for the simulation is shown in figure 1. Figure 2 shows FDTD-simulated absorption graphs of the proposed and reference structures. In the simulation, the front of the cell has Al NPs with 70 nm radius and 12.5% coverage; and the rear of the cell has Ag NPs with 157 nm in radius and 41.5% coverage. Such a structure shows better light absorption in 300~550 nm than that of the reference cell without any NPs and the structure with Ag NP on rear only. Therefore, it can be expected that enhanced light absorption of the structure with Al NP on front at 300~550 nm can contribute to the photocurrent enhancement.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.339-346
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• 2008

Single-crystal $ZnIn_2S_4$ layers were grown on a thoroughly etched semi-insulating GaAs (100) substrate at $450^{\circ}C$ with a hot wall epitaxy (HWE) system by evaporating a $ZnIn_2S_4$ source at $610^{\circ}C$. The crystalline structures of the single-crystal thin films were investigated via the photoluminescence (PL) and Double-crystal X-ray rocking curve (DCRC). The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of the $ZnIn_2S_4$ obtained from the absorption spectra was well described by Varshni's relationship, $E_g(T)=2.9514\;eV-(7.24{\times}10^{-4}\;eV/K)T2/(T＋489K)$. After the as-grown $ZnIn_2S_4$ single-crystal thin films was annealed in Zn-, S-, and In-atmospheres, the origin-of-point defects of the $ZnIn_2S_4$ single-crystal thin films were investigated via the photoluminescence (PL) at 10 K. The native defects of $V_{Zn}$, $V_S$, $Zn_{int}$, and $S_{int}$ obtained from the PL measurements were classified as donor or acceptor types. Additionally, it was concluded that a heat treatment in an S-atmosphere converted $ZnIn_2S_4$ single crystal thin films into optical p-type films. Moreover, it was confirmed that In in $ZnIn_2S_4$/GaAs did not form a native defects, as In in $ZnIn_2S_4$ single-crystal thin films existed in the form of stable bonds.

• Journal of the Microelectronics and Packaging Society
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.85-91
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• 2024

In this study, we investigated a method of growing single crystal 𝛽-Ga₂O₃ thin films on a c-plane sapphire substrate using MOCVD. We confirmed the optimal growth conditions to increase the crystallinity of the 𝛽-Ga₂O₃ thin film and confirmed the effect of the ratio between O₂ and Ga precursors on crystal growth on the crystallinity of the thin film. The growth temperature range was 600~1100℃, and crystallinity was analyzed when the O₂/TMGa ratio was 800~6000. As a result, the highest crystallinity thin film was obtained when the molar ratio between precursors was 2400 at 1100℃. The surface of the thin film was observed with a FE-SEM and XRD ω-scan of the thin film, the FWHM was found to be 1.17° and 1.43° at the and (${\bar{2}}01$) and (${\bar{4}}02$) diffraction peaks. The optical band gap energy obtained was 4.78 ~ 4.88 eV, and the films showed a transmittance of over 80% in the near-ultraviolet and visible light regions.

• Journal of the Korean Vacuum Society
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.459-467
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• 2009

$Cd_2GeSe_4$ and $Cd_2GeSe_4:Co^{2+}$ films were prepared on indium-tin-oxide(ITO)-coated glass substrates by using thermal evaporation. The crystallization was achieved by annealing the as-deposited films in flowing nitrogen. X-ray diffraction spectra showed that the $Cd_2GeSe_4$ and the $Cd_2GeSe_4:Co^{2+}$ films were preferentially grown along the (113) orientation. The crystal structure was rhomohedral(hexagonal) with lattice constants of $a=7.405\;{\AA}$ and $c=36.240\;{\AA}$ for $Cd_2GeSe_4$ and $a=7.43\;{\AA}$ and $c=36.81\;{\AA}$ for $Cd_2GeSe_4:Co^{2+}$ films. From the scanning electron microscope images, the $Cd_2GeSe_4$ and $Cd_2GeSe_4:Co^{2+}$ films were plated, and the grain size increased with increasing annealing temperature. The optical energy band gap, measured at room temperature, of the as-deposited $Cd_2GeSe_4$ films was 1.70 eV and increased to about 1.74 eV and of the as-deposited $Cd_2GeSe_4:Co^{2+}$ films was 1.79 eV and decreased to about 1.74 eV upon annealing in flowing nitrogen at temperatures from $200^{\circ}C$ to $500^{\circ}C$. The dynamical behavior of the charge carriers in the $Cd_2GeSe_4$ and $Cd_2GeSe_4:Co^{2+}$ films were investigated by using the photoinduced discharge characteristics technique.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.304-309
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• 2015

To evaluate the degree of contamination caused by oil spill accident in the sea, the in-situ sensors which are based on the scientific method are needed in the real site. The sensors which are based on the fluorescence detection theory can provide the useful data, such as the concentration of oil. However these kinds of sensors commonly are composed of the ultraviolet (UV) light source such as UV mercury lamp, the multiple excitation/emission filters and the optical sensor which is mainly photomultiplier tube (PMT) type. Therefore, the size of the total sensing platform is large not suitable to be handled in the oil spill field and also the total price of it is extremely expensive. To overcome these drawbacks, we designed the fluorimeter for the oil spill detection which has compact size and cost effectiveness. Before the detail design process, we conducted the experiments to measure the excitation and emission spectrum of oils using five different kinds of crude oils and three different kinds of processed oils. And the fluorescence spectrometer were used to analyze the excitation and emission spectrum of oil samples. We have compared the spectrum results and drawn the each common spectrum regions of excitation and emission. In the experiments, we can see that the average gap between maximum excitation and emission peak wavelengths is near 50 nm for the every case. In the experiment which were fixed by the excitation wavelength of 365 nm and 405 nm, we can find out that the intensity of emission was weaker than that of 280 nm and 325 nm. So, if the light sources having the wavelength of 365 nm or 405 nm are used in the design process of fluorimeter, the optical sensor needs to have the sensitivity which can cover the weak light intensity. Through the results which were derived by the experiment, we can define the important factors which can be useful to select the effective wavelengths of light source, photo detector and filters.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.08a
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• pp.189-189
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• 2012

Lead sulfide (PbS) nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs) are promising materials for various optoelectronic devices, especially solar cells, because of their tunability of the optical band-gap controlled by adjusting the diameter of NQDs. PbS is a IV-VI semiconductor enabling infrared-absorption and it can be synthesized using solution process methods. A wide choice of the diameter of PbS NQDs is also a benefit to achieve the quantum confinement regime due to its large Bohr exciton radius (20 nm). To exploit these desirable properties, many research groups have intensively studied to apply for the photovoltaic devices. There are several essential requirements to fabricate the efficient NQDs-based solar cell. First of all, highly confined PbS QDs should be synthesized resulting in a narrow peak with a small full width-half maximum value at the first exciton transition observed in UV-Vis absorbance and photoluminescence spectra. In other words, the size-uniformity of NQDs ought to secure under 5%. Second, PbS NQDs should be assembled carefully in order to enhance the electronic coupling between adjacent NQDs by controlling the inter-QDs distance. Finally, appropriate structure for the photovoltaic device is the key issue to extract the photo-generated carriers from light-absorbing layer in solar cell. In this step, workfunction and Fermi energy difference could be precisely considered for Schottky and hetero junction device, respectively. In this presentation, we introduce the strategy to obtain high performance solar cell fabricated using PbS NQDs below the size of the Bohr radius. The PbS NQDs with various diameters were synthesized using methods established by Hines with a few modifications. PbS NQDs solids were assembled using layer-by-layer spin-coating method. Subsequent ligand-exchange was carried out using 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) to reduce inter-NQDs distance. Finally, Schottky junction solar cells were fabricated on ITO-coated glass and 150 nm-thick Al was deposited on the top of PbS NQDs solids as a top electrode using thermal evaporation technique. To evaluate the solar cell performance, current-voltage (I-V) measurement were performed under AM 1.5G solar spectrum at 1 sun intensity. As a result, we could achieve the power conversion efficiency of 3.33% at Schottky junction solar cell. This result indicates that high performance solar cell is successfully fabricated by optimizing the all steps as mentioned above in this work.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2005

A stoichiometric mixture of evaporating materials for AgGaS₂ single crystal thin films was prepared from horizontal electric furnace. To obtain the single crystal thin films, AgGaS₂ 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 590℃ and 440℃, respectively. The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of the AgGaS₂ obtained from the absorption spectra was well described by the Varshni's relation, E/sub g/(T) = 2.7284 eV - (8.695×10/sup -4/ eV/K)T²/(T + 332 K). After the as-grown AgGaS₂ single crystal thin films was annealed in Ag-, S-, and Ga-atmospheres, the origin of point defects of AgGaS₂ single crystal thin films has been investigated by the photoluminescence (PL) at 10 K. The native defects of V/sub Ag/, V/sub s/, Ag/sub int/, and S/sub int/ obtained by PL measurements were classified as a donors or accepters type. And we concluded that the heat-treatment in the Ag-atmosphere converted AgGaS₂ single crystal thin films to an optical n-type. Also, we confirmed that Ga in AgGaS₂/GaAs crystal thin films did not form the native defects because Ga in AgGaS₂ single crystal thin films existed in the form of stable bonds.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2009.06a
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• pp.105-105
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• 2009

$ZrO_2$ is one of the most attractive high dielectric constant (high-k) materials. As integrated circuit device dimensions continue to be scaled down, high-k materials have been studied more to resolve the problems for replacing the EY31conventional $SiO_2$. $ZrO_2$ has many favorable properties as a high dielectric constant (k= 20~25), wide band gap (5~7 eV) as well as a close thermal expansion coefficient with Si that results in good thermal stability of the $ZrO_2/Si$ structure. In order to get fine-line patterns, plasma etching has been studied more in the fabrication of ultra large-scale integrated circuits. The relation between the etch characteristics of high-k dielectric materials and plasma properties is required to be studied more to match standard processing procedure with low damaged removal process. Due to the easy control of ion energy and flux, low ownership and simple structure of the inductively coupled plasma (ICP), we chose it for high-density plasma in our study. And the $BCl_3$ included in the gas due to the effective extraction of oxygen in the form of $BCl_xO_y$ compound In this study, the surface kinetic properties of $ZrO_2$ thin film was investigated in function of Ch addition to $BCl_3/Ar$ gas mixture ratio, RF power and DC-bias power based on substrate temperature. The figure 1 showed the etch rate of $ZrO_2$ thin film as function of gas mixing ratio of $Cl_2/BCl_3/Ar$ dependent on temperature. The chemical state of film was investigated using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The characteristics of the plasma were estimated using optical emission spectroscopy (OES). Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) was used for elemental analysis of etched surface.

• Journal of the Korean Crystal Growth and Crystal Technology
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.189-197
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• 2006

A stoichiometric mixture of evaporating materials for $AgGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films was prepared from horizontal electric furnace. To obtain the single crystal thin films, $AgGaSe_2$ 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 $630^{\circ}C\;and\;420^{\circ}C$, respectively. The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of the $AgGaSe_2$ obtained from the absorption spectra was well described by the Varshni's relation, $E_g(T)=1.9501eV-(8.79x10^{-4}eV/K)T^2(T+250K)$. After the as-grown $AgGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films was annealed in Ag-, Se-, and Ga-atmospheres, the origin of point defects of $AgGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films has been investigated by the photoluminescence (PL) at 10K. The native defects of $V_{Ag},\;V_{Se},\;Ag_{int},\;and\;Se_{int}$ obtained by PL measurements were classified as a donors or accepters type. And we concluded that the heat-treatment in the Ag-atmosphere converted $AgGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films to an optical p-type. Also, we confirmed that Ga in $AgGaSe_2$/GaAs did not form the native defects because Ga in $AgGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films existed in the form of stable bonds.

• Journal of the Korean Ceramic Society
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.136-142
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• 2004

A homogeneous and stable ZnO sol was prepared by dissolving the zinc acetate dihydrate(Zn(CH$_3$COO)$_2$$.$2H$_2$O) in solution of isopropanol((CH$_3$)$_2$$.$CHOH) and monoethanolamine(MEA:H$_2$NCH$_2$CH$_2$OH). ZnO thin films were prepared by sol-gel spin-coating method and investigated for c-axis preferred orientation and physical properties with preheating temperature. The c-axis growth had a difference as increaing preheating temperature. ZnO thin film preheated at 275$^{\circ}C$ and post-heated at 650$^{\circ}C$ was highly oriented along the (002) plane. After preheating at 200∼300$^{\circ}C$ and post-heating at 650$^{\circ}C$, the transmittance of ZnO thin films by UV-vis. measurement was over 85% in visible range and exhibited absorption edges at about 370 nm. The optical band gap energy was obtained about 3.22 eV, The photoluminescence emission characteristics of ZnO thin film preheated at 275$^{\circ}C$ and post-heated at 650$^{\circ}C$ was found to orange emission(620 nm, 2.0 eV) by PL measurement, which revealed the possibility for application of inorganic photoluminescence device.