MECHANICAL STABILITY OF THE P-I-N SOLAR CELLS STUDIED BY INDENTATION METHOD

The main priorities when preparing the p-i-n amorphous silicon based solar cells are the efficiency as well as the optoelectronic stability of the cells. However, for the final applications, a good mechanical and thermomechanical stability is not of the second order of importance. The large internal mechanical stress, weak adhesion can result the deterioration of the solar cell (cracking, delamination). The objective of our study was to investigate the mechanical properties of p-i-n amorphous silicon based solar cells by means of depth sensing indentation technique (Fisherscope H100). The instrumented indentation method combined with the study of the morphology of the indentation prints enable us to determinate microhardness, fracture toughness of the interface with substrate and internal stress.