Investigation of the Zn and Cu oxides for heterojunction thin film solar cell application

In this work the results of basic material studies of the zinc and copper oxides as components of heterojunction solar cells were shown. Basing on the optical constants the light absorption properties and range of required thicknesses of copper oxides absorber were indicated. Depletion Region Approximation method was used for analytical studies of heterojunction properties: built in voltage, junction width and band structure. The maximal attainable open circuit voltages and short circuit current led to the estimation of efficiency limits of ZnO/Cu2O and ZnO/CuO solar cells. Experimental part included material studies of low temperature copper sheets oxidation and atomic layer deposition of zinc oxide. Controlling the low temperature oxidation condition allowed for homogeneously grown oxide layer of controlled thickness, absorption properties and surface roughness.