• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2016.02a
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• pp.417-417
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• 2016

Global environmental deterioration has become more serious year by year and thus scientific interests in the renewable energy as environmental technology and replacement of fossil fuels have grown exponentially. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell consisting of semiconductor photoelectrodes that can harvest light and use this energy directly to split water, also known as photoelectrolysis or solar water splitting, is a promising renewable energy technology to produce hydrogen for uses in the future hydrogen economy. A major advantage of PEC systems is that they involve relatively simple processes steps as compared to many other H2 production systems. Until now, a number of materials including TiO2, WO3, Fe2O3, and BiVO4 were exploited as the photoelectrode. However, the PEC performance of these single absorber materials is limited due to their large charge recombinations in bulk, interface and surface, leading low charge separation/transport efficiencies. Recently, coupling of two materials, e.g., BiVO4/WO3, Fe2O3/WO3 and CuWO4/WO3, to form a type II heterojunction has been demonstrated to be a viable means to improve the PEC performance by enhancing the charge separation and transport efficiencies. In this study, we have prepared a triple-layer heterojunction BiVO4/WO3/SnO2 photoelectrode that shows a comparable PEC performance with previously reported best-performing nanostructured BiVO4/WO3 heterojunction photoelectrode via a facile solution method. Interestingly, we found that the incorporation of SnO2 nanoparticles layer in between WO3 and FTO largely promotes electron transport and thus minimizes interfacial recombination. The impact of the SnO2 interfacial layer was investigated in detail by TEM, hall measurement and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. In addition, our planar-structured triple-layer photoelectrode shows a relatively high transmittance due to its low thickness (~300 nm), which benefits to couple with a solar cell to form a tandem PEC device. The overall PEC performance, especially the photocurrent onset potential (Vonset), were further improved by a reactive-ion etching (RIE) surface etching and electrocatalyst (CoOx) deposition.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2013.02a
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• pp.334-334
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• 2013

In the past decade, the infrared detectors based on intersubband transition in quantum dots (QDs) have attracted much attention due to lower dark currents and increased lifetimes, which are in turn due a three-dimensional confinement and a reduction of scattering, respectively. In parallel, focal plane array development for infrared imaging has proceeded from the first to third generations (linear arrays, 2D arrays for staring systems, and large format with enhanced capabilities, respectively). For a step further towards the next generation of FPAs, it is envisioned that a two-dimensional metal hole array (2D-MHA) structures will improve the FPA structure by enhancing the coupling to photodetectors via local field engineering, and will enable wavelength filtering. In regard to the improved performance at certain wavelengths, it is worth pointing out the structural difference between previous 2D-MHA integrated front-illuminated single pixel devices and back-illuminated devices. Apart from the pixel linear dimension, it is a distinct difference that there is a metal cladding (composed of a number of metals for ohmic contact and the read-out integrated circuit hybridization) in the FPA between the heavily doped gallium arsenide used as the contact layer and the ROIC; on the contrary, the front-illuminated single pixel device consists of two heavily doped contact layers separated by the QD-absorber on a semi-infinite GaAs substrate. This paper is focused on analyzing the impact of a two dimensional metal hole array structure integrated to the back-illuminated quantum dots-in-a-well (DWELL) infrared photodetectors. The metal hole array consisting of subwavelength-circular holes penetrating gold layer (2DAu-CHA) provides the enhanced responsivity of DWELL infrared photodetector at certain wavelengths. The performance of 2D-Au-CHA is investigated by calculating the absorption of active layer in the DWELL structure using a finite integration technique. Simulation results show the enhanced electric fields (thereby increasing the absorption in the active layer) resulting from a surface plasmon, a guided mode, and Fabry-Perot resonances. Simulation method accomplished in this paper provides a generalized approach to optimize the design of any type of couplers integrated to infrared photodetectors.

• Applied Chemistry for Engineering
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.377-382
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• 2012

CdS thin films have been widely used as a buffer layer of CIGS semiconductor solar cells to reduce the lattice mismatch between transparent electrode and absorber layer. In order to prepare the CdS films with high transparency and low resistivity, they were deposited by varying Cd concentration with the constant S concentration in the solution using chemical bath deposition method. They were analyzed in terms of structural, optical and electrical properties of CdS films according to the $[S^{2-}]/[Cd^{2+}]$ ratio. In the case of Cd concentration higher than S concectration, CdS thin films were formed mainly by cluster- by-cluster formation due to the homogeneous reaction between Cd and S in the solution. Therefore the grain size increased and the transmittance decreased. On the other hand, in the case of Cd concentration lower than S concentration, CdS films were formed by heterogeneous reaction on the substrate rather than in the solution. The CdS films have the grains with the uniform circular shape of a few hundreds ${\AA}$. As the Cd concentration increased in the solution, the $[S^{2-}]/[Cd^{2+}]$ ratio decreased and the resistivity decreased by the increase in the carrier concentration due to the formation S vacancy by the excess Cd.

• The Journal of Korean Institute of Electromagnetic Engineering and Science
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1217-1223
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• 2007

Advanced microwave absorbers for wide oblique incidence angles are required in many applications including wireless communication or vehicle identification in ITS(Intelligent Transport System) where 5.8 GHz DSRC(Dedicated Short Range Communication) system is applied. In this study, two-layered microwave absorber(with a laminate structure of dielectric/magnetic composites) has been designed for the achievement of low reflection coefficient over wide incidence angles at 5.8 GHz. Iron flake particles are used as the filler in the absorbing layer, and the magnetic composite sheet exhibits high magnetic loss due to ferromagnetic resonance in gigahertz frequencies. The surface layer of low dielectric constant containing small amount of carbon black is used as the impedance transformer. On the basis of transmission line theory, the reflection loss has been calculated for the two-layer structure with variation of incident angles for both TE(Transverse Electric) and TM(Transverse Magnetic) polarizations. At the optimum thickness of the composite layers, a low value of reflection loss(less than -10 dB) has been predicted for wide incidence angles up to $55^{\circ}$ which is in good agreement with the measured value determined by free-space measurement.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2012.02a
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• pp.591-591
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• 2012

본 연구는 Transparent conducting oxide (TCO, 산화물투명전극)를 이용한 박막태양전지 효율향상에 관한 것으로, 이중의 TCO층(Double-stacked TCO layer)의 효과적인 광학 및 전기적 설계에 관한 것이다. 기존 박막 태양전지에서는 투명전극 TCO layer로서, ITO (Indium-Tin-Oxide), FTO (Fluorine- Tin-Oxide), 및 AZO(Aluminum-doped Zinc Oxide) 등을 사용해 왔다. 각 TCO layer마다 장점이 있지만 단점 또한 존재한다. ITO의 경우 높은 전기적 특성을 가지는 반면 수소 플라즈마에 취약하고 기계적 강도에 취약해 ITO 단일층만으로 박막 태양전지에 적용하는 것에 제한을 받는다. 한편, AZO의 경우 전기적 특성도 우수할 뿐만 아니라 수소 플라즈마에도 내구성이 강한 장점이 있지만, 일함수가 p형 반도체보다 낮아 Schottky junction이 되어, 높은 전위장벽이 형성된다. 이는 정공의 이동을 방해하고, 정공의 축적이 일어나서 순방향 전압을 인가할 때 많은 전류의 감소를 가져온다. 또한, AZO와 p형 반도체 사이의 높은 직렬저항으로 인해 광전압(Voc, Open circuit voltage)와 충실률 (FF, Fill factor)가 떨어진다는 단점이 있다. 본 실험에서는 ITO/AZO 2중구조의 TCO층을 적용하여 상기의 문제점을 해결하고자 한다. 이중 구조 TCO층은 Magnetron sputter system을 이용하여, 단계적으로 증착되었다. 빛이 입사하는 유리에 ITO를 제1전도층으로 증착하였는데, ITO는 입사광의 투과도와 전기전도성이 우수하다. 제2전도층으로는 AZO층을 이용하였으며, 실리콘 반도체층과 접하게 된다. AZO는 실리콘 증착시 발생하는 수소 플라즈마에 안정적이고, 물리적 강도 또한 우수한 장점이 있다. 이중 구조층위에 실리콘 광흡수층(Si absorber)을 증착하였으며, pin 구조를 가진다. 기존, 단일막 TCO층과 2중구조 TCO층을 이용하여, 실리콘 박막 태양전지를 구성하였다. 이때, ITO/AZO의 2중구조를 적용하였을 때 태양 전지 특성이 크게 향상된 결과를 얻을 수가 있었다. 특히, 전류밀도의 경우 ITO, FTO, AZO 각각 14.5 mA/cm2, 11.2 mA/cm2, 8.18 mA/cm2를 나타낸 반면 ITO/AZO 2중구조의 경우 약 17mA/cm2 로 크게 향상 되었고, 태양전지 변환 효율도 각각 7.5%, 6.9%, 4%에서 ITO/AZO 2중 구조의 경우 8.05%로 크게 향상되었다. 본 발표에서는 2중구조 TCO를 이용한 현공정에 적용 가능한 박막태양전지 효율향상 기법에 대해 논의하고자 한다.

• Proceedings of the Korean Vacuum Society Conference
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• 2015.08a
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• pp.235.1-235.1
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• 2015

Artificially-engineered materials, whose electromagnetic properties are not available in nature, such as negative reflective index, are called metamaterials (MMs). Although many scientists have investigated MMs for negative-reflective-index properties at the beginning, their interests have been extended to many other fields comprising perfect lenses. Among various kinds of MMs, metamaterial absorbers (MM-As) mimic the blackbody through minimizing transmission and reflection. In order to maximize absorption, the real and the imaginary parts of the permittivity and permeability of MM-As should be adjusted to possess the same impedance as that of free space. We propose a dual-wide-band and polarization-independent MM-A. It is basically a triple-layer structure made of metal/dielectric multilayered truncated cones. The multilayered truncated cones are periodically arranged and play a role of meta-atoms. We realize not only a wide-band absorption, which utilizes the fundamental magnetic resonances, but also another wide-band absorption in the high-frequency range based on the third-harmonic resonances, in both simulation and experiment. In simulation, the absorption bands with absorption higher than 90% are 3.93 - 6.05 GHz and 11.64 - 14.55 GHz, while the experimental absorption bands are in 3.88 - 6.08 GHz and 9.95 - 13.84 GHz. The physical origins of these absorption bands are elucidated. Additionally, it is also polarization-independent because of its circularly symmetric structures. Our design is scalable to smaller size for the infrared and the visible ranges.

• 한국신재생에너지학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2007.06a
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• pp.346-349
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• 2007

치밀한 $CuInSe_{2}$ (CIS) 태양전지용 광흡수층을 제조하기 위해 상용되는 출발물질을 이용하여 비진공방식인 paste coating 법으로 CIS 막을 제조하였다. 먼저 치밀한 CIS 막 제조를 위해 $Cu_{2}Se$의 액상 거동을 관찰하였다. 이러한 $Cu_{2}Se_{2}$의 액상거동을 위해 Se 분위기에서 Se 증발온도, 기판온도, 열처리시간 등을 다양하게 변화 시켰으며, Se 증발온도 $450^{\circ}C$, 기판온도 $550^{\circ}C$, 열처리시간 30분 그리고 수송가스 ($N_{2}$)를 20 sccm으로 최적조건을 형성하였다. 이러한 최적조건을 바탕으로 치밀한 CIS막을 위해 two-zone RIP (rapid temperature process) 방법으로 Se 분위기 안에서 셀렌화를 위한 열처리를 행하였다. 셀렌화를 위해 다양한 열처리시간에 따라 형성된 CIS 막은 CIS 광흡수층과 Mo 박막 사이에서 $MoSe_{2}$ 층이 형성되었지만, 균일한 CIS 막을 얻었으며 업자성장과 치밀화 거동을 관찰 하였다. 또한, CIS 막의 치밀화를 위해 Se 증발온도와 열처리시간을 고정하고 기판온도를 $600^{\circ}C$로 증가시켜 $Cu_{2}Se$의 액상거동을 관찰하였다. $600^{\circ}C$에서 형성된 CIS 막은 기판온도 $500^{\circ}C$의 시편보다 입자성장과 치밀화가 되었으나 기판으로 사용하는 soda-lime glass의 휨 현상이 발생하였다.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.27-32
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• 2020

CuS thin films were deposited on glass substrates at room temperature by RF magnetron sputtering. The structural and optical properties of CuS thin films grown by varying RF-power from 40 W to 100 W were studied. From the XRD analysis, we confirmed hexagonal crystal structures grown in the preferred orientation of the (110) plane in all CuS thin films, and the intensity of the main diffraction peak increased in proportion to the increase of RF-power. In the case of CuS thin film deposited at 40W, small-sized particles formed a thin and dense surface morphology with narrow pore spacing, relatively. As the power increased, the grain size and grain boundary spacing increased sequentially. The peaks for the binding energy of Cu 2p_3/2 and Cu 2p_1/2 were determined at 932.1 eV and 952.0 eV, respectively. The difference in binding energy for the Cu²⁺ states was the same at 19.9 eV regardless of process parameters. The transmittance and band gap energy in the visible region tended to decrease with increasing sputtering powers.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.33-38
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• 2020

Single-phased SnS thin films have been prepared by RF magnetron sputtering at various deposition pressures. The effect of deposition pressure on the structural and optical properties of polycrystalline SnS thin films was studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) spectrophotometer. The XRD analysis revealed the orthorhombic structure of the SnS thin films oriented along the (111) plane direction. As the deposition pressure was increased from 5 mTorr to 15 mTorr, the intensity of the peak on the (111) plane increased, and the intensity decreased under the condition of 20 mTorr. The binding energy difference at the Sn 3d_5/2 and S 2p_3/2 core levels was about 324.5 eV, indicating that the SnS thin film was prepared as a pure Sn-S phase. The optical properties of the SnS thin films indicate the presence of direct allowed transitions with corresponding energy band gap in the rang 1.47-1.57 eV.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.1.1-1.1
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• 2011

Printed electronics based on the direct writing of solution processable functional materials have been of paramount interest and importance. In this talk, the synthesis of printable inorganic functional materials (conductors and semiconductors) for thin-film transistors (TFTs) and photovoltaic devices, device fabrication based on a printing technique, and specific characteristics of devices are presented. For printable conductor materials, Ag ink is designed to achieve the long-term dispersion stability and good adhesion property on a glass substrate, and Cu ink is sophisticatedly formulated to endow the oxidation stability in air and even aqueous solvent system. The both inks were successfully printed onto either polymer or glass substrate, exhibiting the superior conductivity comparable to that of bulk one. In addition, the organic thin-film transistor based on the printed metal source/drain electrode exhibits the electrical performance comparable to that of a transistor based on a vacuum deposited Au electrode. For printable amorphous oxide semiconductors (AOSs), I introduce the noble ways to resolve the critical problems, a high processing temperature above $400^{\circ}C$ and low mobility of AOSs annealed at a low temperature below $400^{\circ}C$. The dependency of TFT performances on the chemical structure of AOSs is compared and contrasted to clarify which factor should be considered to realize the low temperature annealed, high performance AOSs. For photovoltaic application, CI(G)S nanoparticle ink for solution processable high performance solar cells is presented. By overcoming the critical drawbacks of conventional solution processed CI(G)S absorber layers, the device quality dense CI(G)S layer is obtained, affording 7.3% efficiency CI(G)S photovoltaic device.