CHARACTERIZATION OF CDO THIN-FILMS DEPOSITED BY ACTIVATED REACTIVE EVAPORATION

The paper describes the preparation of cadmium oxide thin films produc ed by ''activated reactive evaporation'' onto heated glass substrates. The structural, electrical and optical properties of the deposited fi lms were investigated and the effect of substrate temperature on the d ifferent physical properties of the films investigated. Highly conduct ing, polycrystalline CdO films with good transmittances were prepared by controlling the deposition temperature. These layers can be used to produce CdO/CdTe solar cells with efficiencies > 7%. (C) 1998 Elsevie r Science. B.V. All rights reserved.