1862-6270/asset/olbannerleft.gif?v=1&s=2fd9f54f31e22be9021211e2f3a53ba1de8744cf)
Rapid Research Letter
Correlation of pre-breakdown sites and bulk defects in multicrystalline silicon solar cells
Article first published online: 2 FEB 2009
DOI: 10.1002/pssr.200802264
Copyright © 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim
Issue
physica status solidi (RRL) - Rapid Research Letters
Volume 3, Issue 2-3, pages 70–72, March 2009
Additional Information
How to Cite
Lausch, D., Petter, K., Wenckstern, H. v. and Grundmann, M. (2009), Correlation of pre-breakdown sites and bulk defects in multicrystalline silicon solar cells. physica status solidi (RRL) - Rapid Research Letters, 3: 70–72. doi: 10.1002/pssr.200802264
Publication History
- Issue published online: 5 MAR 2009
- Article first published online: 2 FEB 2009
- Manuscript Revised: 22 JAN 2009
- Manuscript Accepted: 22 JAN 2009
- Manuscript Received: 10 DEC 2008
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- 61.72.Lk;
- 61.72.Mm;
- 68.37.−d;
- 68.55.jm;
- 78.60.Fi
Graphical Abstract
In this Letter, Dominik Lausch et al. demonstrate that pre-breakdown sites in multicrystalline Si solar cells are visible in spatially resolved, spectrally integrated reverse-bias electroluminescence. The spatial resolution exceeds that of dark lock-in thermography by far. Positions of pre-breakdown sites are correlated to bulk defects and are independent of surface texture as the authors could demonstrate by comparison of neighbouring alkaline and acidic texturised solar cells.
Abstract
Strong correlation between the pre-breakdown sites visible in dark lock-in thermography due to local heating and the intensity of spatially resolved electroluminescence of reverse-biased solar cells was observed. By comparing differently texturised solar cells we could show that the pre-breakdown sites are not correlated to the surface morphology, e.g. etch pits resulting in local field enhancement. The positions of the pre-breakdown sites are identical for acidic and alkaline texturised solar cells and therefore are directly related to bulk defects in the wafer. Nevertheless, the breakdown voltage is lower for acidic texturised solar cells; the parameters of breakdown are influenced by the texture in contrast to the position. Also pre-breakdown sites are observed in areas without specific surface features for alkaline texturised solar cells. (© 2009 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)