Radiant Energy Converter Having Sputtered CdSiAs.sub.2 Absorber

Thin film polycrystalline radiant energy converters are well known in the art as exemplified by the following references:

(1) IEEE Spectrum--February 1980, "Photovoltaics" pages 26-41

(2) Electro-Optical Systems Design, "Solar Cells" pages 39-49

(3) Sov. Phys. Semicond.--Vol. 10, No. 9, September 1976, "Photoelectric Properties and Potential Practical Applications of CdSiAs.sub.2 Homojunction Diodes"

(4) U.S. Pat. No. 4,251,286--Barnett

According to the present invention, a thin film radiant energy converter incorporates a stoichiometrically sputtered polycrystalline CdSiAs.sub.2 photovoltaic absorber layer upon which is applied a CdS top layer to form a heterojunction. In forming the CdSiAs.sub.2 material by sputtering, close control of the sputtering parameters (bias voltage, target and substrate temperature ranges, etc) assures stoichiometry (Cd-25%, Si-25% and As.sub.2 -50%) and large grain size to thereby reduce grain boundary recombination of photogenerated electrons and thus improve the efficiency of solar energy conversion.

In the preferred embodiment, the CdSiAs.sub.2 layer is sputtered directly upon the surface of a conductive substrate, such as the exposed surface of a molybdenum or other conductive film formed on a non-conductive support substrate such as glass. The cell is completed by securing a copper wire cathode via an indium solder contact to the CdS top layer. These cells are very efficient, have improved current and voltage characteristics, use cheaper materials (relative to single crystal Si and GaAs cells) and less sophisticated technology, and can be made with large surface areas.

The above and other features and advantages of the invention will be better understood upon reference to the accompanying drawing wherein

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view (not to scale) of a thin film photovoltaic device incorporating the invention and

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic illustration of the multitarget sputtering process for achieving large grain size in the CdSiAs.sub.2 material.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a radiant energy converter 10 for solar energy is constituted by a thin film CdSiAs.sub.2 photovoltaic absorber layer 11 formed as a p-type semiconductor material, and a top thin film layer 12 of CdS deposited as an n-type semiconductor material to form a heterojunction 13. Anode 14 and cathode electrode 16 carry the photogenerated electrical current to a load device.

In the preferred embodiment a non-conductive support plate 17 formed of glass, ceramic or as a dielectric layer on a support or carrier member, has a layer of molybdenum metal 14, which constitutes the anode, deposited thereon. It will be appreciated that other conductive metals or alloys which do not react with the CdSiAs.sub.2 thin film layer 11 may be used, either as foils adhered or deposited on the non-conductive support substrate, and, if themselves rigid enough, the non-conductive glass plate need not be used.

The cathode electrode 16 is constituted by a copper grid which is secured to the CdS collector layer 12 by a low temperature solder medium 20, such as indium or aluminum metal which are non-reactive with CdS, or at least do not adversely affect the function of the cathode electrode.

The cell as thus constructed is protected by a radiant energy transparent material such as a plastic encapsulant 21. The cell structure thus formed is of the back wall type but it will be appreciated that the large grain size absorber layer feature can be applied to other radiant energy conversion systems.

As diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 2, the support substrate is initially prepared by depositing a thin (about 2 microns) layer of molybdenum metal 14 on a support plate, such as glass, ceramic, plastic or a rigid conductor which does not adversely affect the stoichiometry of the sputtered CdSiAs.sub.2 layer and the achievement of large grain size. The conductive substrate 14, 17 is placed in the sputter system 25 for depositing the polycrystalline thin film CdSiAs.sub.2 layer 11 with large grain size to reduce boundary layer recombination of photogenerated electrons and thereby improve the efficiency of solar energy conversion. The sputtering system 25 incorporates multiple targets, there being a separate target for Cd, Si and CdAs.sub.2 with independent controllers 26, 27 and 28, respectively, for controlling the ambient temperature of the targets (from about 90.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C., respectively, sputter bias voltages of from about 0 volts to about 1000 volts and a control 29 for the ambient temperature of the substrate assembly 14, 17. In a specific embodiment, the CdSiAs.sub.2 is from about 0.01 to about 0.001 micron thick and the molybdenum layer is about 2 micrometers thick. The parameters of the specific sputtering operation for the CdSiAs.sub.2 layer are set forth in the following specific example:

An absorber layer was formed using a Perkin-Elmer Corporation Model Randex 2400-8SA multiple target sputtering machine with three separate 8 inch diameter cathodes and a substrate table 211/2" long. The sputtering machine was provided with separate cadmium (Cd), silicon (Si) and cadmium arsenide (CdAs.sub.2) targets which were sputtered under the following operating parameters:

Target bias at 1000 volts

Substrate bias at 0 volts

Base pressure 1.5.times.10.sup.-7 torr (nitrogen)

Argon pressure 10 millitorr

Substrate temperature 225.degree. C..+-.5.degree. C. (This temperature gives the best crystals)

Forward power 110 watts (limits evaporation of arsenic)

Substrate power 0 watts

The absorber layer formed was polycrystalline, having large grain sizes of 5 microns or larger.

While the invention has been described with respect to a specific embodiment, there are many adaptations and variations of the invention which come within the spirit and scope thereof as defined in the claims appended hereto.