Photocurrent transients of thin-film solar cells

The absorber layers of thin-film kesterite solar cells were analyzed using intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy. The technique allows fast and efficient quantitative and qualitative assessment of the photoactivity of a solar cell and, in addition, allows estimating the rates of electron/hole generation and recombination in the absorbing layer. The significant variations in photo-performance are linked to the rate of photo-induced extraction/recombination of holes and electrons, but the significant role of surface optical effects can be revealed via manipulations with the phase of incident light. (C) 2017 Optical Society of America