Zn/sub 3/P/sub 2/ as an improved semiconductor for photovoltaic devices. Final report, July 17, 1976-September 1, 1978
- 1 January 1978
- report
- Published by Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI)
Abstract
The goal of this work was to evaluate the suitability of Zn/sub 3/P/sub 2/ as a potentially low cost, high conversion efficiency material for photovoltaic devices. The important results of the research are presented and discussed. The major accomplishments of this work are: (1) the development of a vapor transport method for the growth of large single crystals; (2) the development of two methods of thin film growth: vacuum evaporation and close space transport; (3) the determination of the optical constants of Zn/sub 3/P/sub 2/ including the indices of refraction, the optical absorption coefficient, and the ultra-violet to visible reflectivity spectra; (4) a determination of the factors which influence the electrical conductivity and how these relate to the defect chemistry of Zn/sub 3/P/sub 2/; (5) measurement of the barrier height of metal-Zn/sub 3/P/sub 2/ contacts and the development of a model which relates the barrier height to the properties of the metal-semiconductor interface; (6) measurement of the minority carrier diffusion length in Zn/sub 3/P/sub 2/; (7) the development of several single and double layer anti-reflection coatings; and (8) the development of Schottky barrier photovoltaic devices employing a grid device and transparent metal film design, with conversion efficiencies as high asmore » 6.08% (total area) or 7.6% (active area). « lessKeywords
This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: