CdS films prepared by the close-spaced sublimation and their influence on CdTe/CdS solar cell performance

Cadmium sulfide (CdS) films have been deposited on SnO/sub 2//7059 glass substrates by the close-spaced sublimation technique (CSS), and subsequently used for the fabrication of CdTe/CdS solar cells. The effect of various deposition parameters-ambient and temperature profiles-on film properties and solar cell performance has been investigated. One of the main objectives of this work has been to deposit device quality CdS films of small thickness in order to fabricate CdTe solar cells with enhanced blue response. Solar cells have been characterized using PL, I-V, I-V-T, SR, and C-V measurements. A photovoltaic conversion efficiency of 14.2% under AM1.5 conditions has been measured at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory.