CdCl2 treatment, S diffusion, and recombination in polycrystalline CdTe

Time-resolved photoluminescence measurements on glass/SnO2/CdTe and glass/SnO2/CdTe/CdS structures indicate that the CdCl2 process, without any S present, significantly reduces recombination. However, S diffusion is required for lifetimes comparable to those observed in high-efficiency solar cells. Low-temperature photoluminescence, cathodoluminescence, and scanning electron images indicate how defect chemistry, grain-boundary passivation, and morphology are affected by S diffusion and the CdCl2 treatment. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.