<p> Two methods for preparing semiconductor grade copper sulfide films, to be used in low cost thin film solar cells,have been investigated. The sulfurization method involves the controlled chemical conversion of copper films into the desired copper sulfide phase. The other method of evaporating Cu2S pellets is more adaptable for an all evaporated thin film solar cell. The copper sulfide films obtained by these methods were characterized using x-rays, cathodoluminescence, electrical and optical methods. The use of optical method in monitoring the stoichiometry of thin copper sulfide films has been illustrated. The photovoltaic properties of thin copper sulfide films obtained by these methods, were also investigated using Cu2S - Si heterojunctions. The behaviour of these junctions indicates that 900 Ȧ thick copper sulfide film is required for optimum photovoltaic conversion. This result may be of some importance in Cu2S - CdS solar cells in further reducing their thickness. Cu2S - Si heterojunctions can also be used to monitor the properties of copper sulfide, as silicon is a well characterized substrate.</p> / Thesis / Master of Science (MSc)

One of two project reports: The other part is designated PART B: OFF-CAMPUS PROJECT. / <p> Ion implantation is investigated as a technique to fabricate solar cells on monocrystalline silicon. The electrical properties of the implanted layer, as determined using the Hall Effect, and solar cell performance have beep studied for varying implant species (As and P), implanted dopant concentration (10^18 - 10^21 cm^-3), implanted substrate temperature (55° to 300°K} and annealing temperature (700° to 900°C). Some progress has been made toward the optimization of the various parameters. </p> / Thesis / Master of Engineering (MEngr)

Wide bandgap perovskites are emerging as suitable candidates for the technology of tandem solar cells. Understanding their optical properties is a prerequisite for improving the corresponding solar cells’ efficiencies. In this thesis, we employ various steady-state spectroscopies to reveal the optical properties of two wide bandgap perovskites: FA0.83Cs0.17Pb(I0.7Br0.3)3 or PVK1 and FA0.83Cs0.17Pb(I0.5Br0.5)3 or PVK2. The optical properties of interest are the semiconductors’ absorption spectra, the sub-bandgap absorption features, the bandgap energy, the Urbach energy, and the excitonic binding energy. We find that the sub-bandgap absorption can be characterized by a single exponential function. We also find that the Urbach energies and the excitonic binding energies are below the thermal energy at room temperature, which signals that PVK1 and PVK2 are excellent nominees for photovoltaic absorbers. Finally, the bandgap energy is red shifted due to excitonic effects as revealed by the Elliot model.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.