Effect of ultrasound treatment on CuInSe2 solar cells

Thin CuInSe2 films on glass substrate and solar cells were processed using the ultrasound treatment technique (UST). The SIMS measurements on the film s showed a strong reduction of the Na-signal after the UST, which is most l ikely caused by ultrasonically induced chemical reaction of the mobile sodi um ions. The change of the solar cell efficiency due to the UST depends on the initial efficiency. For the cells with efficiencies below 10% relative improvements of up to 50% are observed. On the contrary, the cells with hig her efficiencies remain stable after the UST. In addition, parameters of Cu InSe2 cells affected by the UST show the relaxation. (C) 2000 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.