Point defects in BaSi₂ thin films for photovoltaic applications studied by positron annihilation spectroscopy

Barium di-silicide (BaSi₂) is a very promising absorber material for high-efficiency thin-film solar cells, due to its suitable bandgap, high light absorption coefficient, and long minority-carrier lifetime. In this study, we compare the nanostructure, layer composition, and point defects of BaSi₂ thin films deposited by...

Toward BaSi₂/Si Heterojunction Thin-Film Solar Cells: Insights into Heterointerface Investigation, Barium Depletion, and Silicide-Mediated Silicon Crystallization

The knowledge of the structural and compositional details of Si/BaSi₂/Si heterostructure annealed at high temperature is a prerequisite for BaSi₂ application in heterojunction thin-film solar cells. For this purpose, Si/BaSi₂/Si heterostructures deposited by magnetron sputtering with different Si layer...

Oxidation-Induced Structure Transformation: Thin-Film Synthesis and Interface Investigations of Barium Disilicide toward Potential Photovoltaic Applications

Barium disilicide (BaSi2) has been regarded as a promising absorber material for high-efficiency thin-film solar cells. However, it has confronted issues related to material synthesis and quality control. Here, we fabricate BaSi2 thin films via an industrially applicable sputtering process and uncovered the mechanism of structure transformation....

Effects of amorphous Si capping layer on sputtered BaSi2 film properties

Regarded as a promising absorber material for solar cell applications, Barium disilicide (BaSi2) is still confronted with issues related to surface oxidation. Here, we use a-Si.H deposited by plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition as capping layer to prevent surface oxidation of sputtered BaSi2 films. Based on crystalline quality and...