Polycrystalline Thin-Film, Cadmium-Telluride Solar Cells Fabricated by Electrodeposition: Final Subcontract Report, 20 March 1992 - 27 April 1995

This report describes work performed by the Colorado School of Mines to develop improved processes for the fabrication of CdTe/CdSpolycrystalline thin-film solar cells. The technique used for the formation of CdTe, electrodeposition, is a non-vacuum, low-cost technique that is an attractive for economic, large-scale production. The technical approach used includes the following: (1) optimizationof CdTe electrodeposition conditions; (2) improvement of the chemical bath deposition technique for CdS; (3) optimization of CdCl2 treatment and annealing processes and studies of recrystallization, interdiffusion, and residual stress resulting from heat treatment; and (4) investigation of ZnTe for improving the back contact and stability. The results are described in detail in the report.