CdTe Photovoltaic Devices for Solar Cell Applications

reportActive / Technical Report | Accession Number: ADA553808 | Open PDF

Abstract:

Cadmium telluride CdTe has been recognized as a promising photovoltaic material for thin-film solar cells because of its near optimum bandgap of approx. 1.5 eV and high absorption coefficient. The energy gap is near optimum for a single junction solar cell and the high absorption coefficient allows films as thin as 2 microns to absorb more than 98 of the above-bandgap radiation. Cells with efficiencies near 17 have been produced for poly-CdTe materials. By alloying with mercury telluride HgTe, Hg1-xCdxTe0 is less than or equal to x less than or equal to 1 alloy can be obtained with a bandgap energy that falls between the end points of HgTe Eg -0.3 eV and CdTe Eg 1.5 eV. Because of its bandgap tunability with the Cd composition, Hg1-xCdxTe alloy has evolved to become the most importantversatile material for detector applications over the entire infrared wavelength range and has gained traction in the solar cell community.

Author(s):
Wijewarnasuriya, Priyalal
Author Organization(s):
ARMY RESEARCH LAB ADELPHI MD
Descriptive Note:
Final rept.
Supplementary Note:
The original document contains color images.
Pagination:
0014

Security Markings

DOCUMENT & CONTEXTUAL SUMMARY

Distribution:
Approved For Public Release
Distribution Statement:
Approved For Public Release; Distribution Is Unlimited.

RECORD

Collection: TR
Identifying Numbers
Report Number(s):
ARL-RP-0349
Monitor Series:
ARL/ADELPHI
 Subject Terms
Joint Capability Areas:
JCA_8_Building Partnerships
Modernization Areas:
Quantum Science and Computing
Communities of Interest:
Advanced Electronics
Descriptor(s):
*DETECTORS, *INFRARED RADIATION, *PHOTOVOLTAIC EFFECT, *SOLAR CELLS, ABSORPTION COEFFICIENTS, ALLOYS, CADMIUM TELLURIDES, EFFICIENCY, ENERGY BANDS, ENERGY GAPS, FREQUENCY, JUNCTIONS, MATERIALS, MERCURY COMPOUNDS, OPTIMIZATION, RADIATION, RANGE(EXTREMES), TELLURIDES, THIN FILMS, THINNESS, TRACTION
Field(s)/Group(s):
Electric Power Production and Distribution
Keyword(s):
QUANTUM EFFICIENCY, SPECTRAL RESPONSE
Report Date:
2011 Dec 01
Creation Date:
2012 Feb 08