Insights into the Effects of RbF-PDT on the Absorber Surface of High Efficiency CIGSe Solar Cells and Development of Analytical and Machine Learning Process Monitoring Methodologies Based on Combinatorial Analysis

Abstract

The latest record efficiencies of the Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGSe) photovoltaic technology have been driven by heavy alkali post-deposition treatments (PDTs). Despite their positive effect, especially in the V_oc of the devices, their underlying mechanisms are still under discussion. This work sheds light on this topic by performing a high statistics analysis on 620 high efficiency CIGSe solar cells submitted to four different PDT processes (different RbF source temperature) employing a combinatorial approach based on Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies. This reveals with statistical confidence subtle differences in the spectroscopic data that relate to the redistribution of defects between the ordered vacancy compound (OVC) and the chalcopyrite phases at the absorber surface. In particular, there is an intertwined decrease of the OVC phase and increase of the so-called “defective chalcopyrite phase”. Additionally, two industry-compatible methodologies for the assessment of the RbF-PDT process and prediction of the V_oc of the final devices with a ±2% error and an efficacy of ~95% are developed based on analytical and machine learning approaches. These results show that the combined Raman and PL spectroscopic techniques represent a powerful tool for the future development of the CIGSe technology at research level and for a more efficient industrial manufacturing.

Final version of this manuscript have been published in Advanced Energy Materials 12 (2022) 2103163. https://doi.org/10.1002/aenm.202103163