• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.21 no.10
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• pp.550-555
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• 2011

A high-quality CIGS film with a selenization process needs to be developed for low-cost and large-scale production. In this study, we used $Cu_2In_3$, CuGa and $Cu_2Se$ sputter targets for the deposition of a precursor. The precursor deposited by sputtering was selenized in Se vapor. The precursor layer deposited by the co-sputtering of $Cu_2In_3$, CuGa and $Cu_2Se$ showed a uniform distribution of Cu, In, Ga, and Se throughout the layer with Cu, In, CuIn, CuGa and $Cu_2Se$ phases. After selenization at $550^{\circ}C$ for 30 min, the CIGS film showed a double-layer microstructure with a large-grained top layer and a small-grained bottom layer. In the AES depth profile, In was found to have accumulated near the surface while Cu had accumulated in the middle of the CIGS film. By adding a Cu-In-Ga interlayer between the co-sputtered precursor layer and the Mo film and adding a thin $Cu_2Se$ layer onto the co-sputtered precursor layer, large CIGS grains throughout the film were produced. However, the Cu accumulated in the middle of CIGS film in this case as well. By supplying In, Ga and Se to the CIGS film, a uniform distribution of Cu, In, Ga and Se was achieved in the middle of the CIGS film.

• Proceedings of the Materials Research Society of Korea Conference
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• 2003.11a
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• pp.154-154
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• 2003

A stoichiometric mixture of evaporating materials for CuGaSe2 single crystal thin films was prepared from horizontal electric furnace. Using extrapolation method of X-ray diffraction patterns for the polycrystal CuGaSe2, it was found tetragonal structure whose lattice constant at and co were 5.615 ${\AA}$ and 11.025 ${\AA}$, respectively. To obtain the single crystal thin films, CuGaSe2 mixed crystal was deposited on thoroughly etched semi-insulating GaAs(100) substrate by the hot wall epitaxy (MWE) system. The source and substrate temperatures were Slot and 450$^{\circ}C$, respectively. The crystalline structure of the single crystal thin films was investigated by the photoluminescence and double crystal X-ray diffraction (UXD). The carrier density and mobility of CuGaSe2 single crystal thin films measured with Hall effect by van der Pauw method are 5.0l${\times}$10$\^$17/ cm$\^$-3/ and 245 $\textrm{cm}^2$/V$.$s at 293K, respectively. The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of the CuGaSe2 obtained from the absorption spectra was well described by the Varshni's relation, Eg(T) = 1.7998 eV - (8.7489${\times}$10$\^$-4/ eV/K)T$^2$/(T + 335 K. After the as-grown CuGaSe2 single crystal thin films was annealed in Cu-, Se-, and Ca-atmospheres, the origin of point defects of CuGaSe2 single crystal thin films has been investigated by the photoluminescence(PL) at 10 K The native defects of V$\_$CU/, V$\_$Se/, Cu$\_$int/, and Se$\_$int/ obtained by PL measurements were classified as a donors or accepters type. And we concluded that the heat-treatment in the Cu-atmosphere converted CuGaSe2 single crystal thin films to an optical n-type. Also, we confirmed that Ga in CuGaSe2/GaAs did not form the native defects because Ga in CuGaSe2 single crystal thin films existed in the form of stable bonds.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2008.11a
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• pp.100-101
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• 2008

To obtain the single crystal thin films, $CuGaSe_2$ mixed crystal was deposited on thoroughly etched semi-insulating GaAs(100) substrate by the hot wall epitaxy (HWE) system. The source and substrate temperatures were $610^{\circ}C$ and $450^{\circ}C$, respectively. After the as-grown $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films was annealed in Cu-, Se-, and Ga-atmospheres, the origin of point defects of $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films has been investigated by the photoluminescence(PL) at 10 K. The native defects of $V_{CU}$, $V_{Se}$, $Cu_{int}$, and $Se_{int}$ obtained by PL measurements were classified as a donors or acceptors type. And we concluded that the heat-treatment in the Cu-atmosphere converted $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films to an optical n-type. Also, we confirmed that Ga in $CuGaSe_2$/GaAs did not form the native defects because Ga in $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films existed in the form of stable bonds.

• Korean Journal of Materials Research
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• v.20 no.8
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• pp.434-438
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• 2010

The selenization process has been a promising method for low-cost and large-scale production of high quality CIGS film. However, there is the problem that most Ga in the CIGS film segregates near the Mo back contact. So the solar cell behaves like a $CuInSe_2$ and lacks the increased open-circuit voltage. In this study we investigated the Ga distribution in CIGS films by using the $Ga_2Se_3$ layer. The $Ga_2Se_3$ layer was applied on the Cu-In-Ga metal layer to increase Ga content at the surface of CIGS films and to restrict Ga diffusion to the CIGS/Mo interface with Ga and Se bonding. The layer made by thermal evaporation was showed to an amorphous $Ga_2Se_3$ layer in the result of AES depth profile, XPS and XRD measurement. As the thickness of $Ga_2Se_3$ layer increased, a small-grained CIGS film was developed and phase seperation was showed using SEM and XRD respectively. Ga distributions in CIGS films were investigated by means of AES depth profile. As a result, the [Ga]/[In+Ga] ratio was 0.2 at the surface and 0.5 near the CIGS/Mo interface when the $Ga_2Se_3$ thickness was 220 nm, suggesting that the $Ga_2Se_3$ layer on the top of metal layer is one of the possible methods for Ga redistribution and open circuit voltage increase.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.38-43
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• 2013

$Cu(In,Ga)_3Se_5$ is a candidate material for the top cell of $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ tandem cells. This phase is often found at the surface of the $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ film during $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ cell fabrication, and plays a positive role in $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ cell performance. However, the exact properties of the $Cu(In,Ga)_3Se_5$ film have not been extensively studied yet. In this work, $Cu(In,Ga)_3Se_5$ films were fabricated on Mo-coated soda-lime glass substrates by a three-stage co-evaporation process. The Cu content in the film was controlled by varying the deposition time of each stage. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy analyses showed that, even though the stoichiometric Cu/(In+Ga) ratio is 0.25, $Cu(In,Ga)_3Se_5$ is easily formed in a wide range of Cu content as long as the Cu/(In+Ga) ratio is held below 0.5. The optical band gap of $Cu_{0.3}(In_{0.65}Ga_{0.35})_3Se_5$ composition was found to be 1.35eV. As the Cu/(In+Ga) ratio was decreased further below 0.5, the grain size became smaller and the band gap increased. Unlike the $Cu(In,Ga)Se_2$ solar cell, an external supply of Na with $Na_2S$ deposition further increased the cell efficiency of the $Cu(In,Ga)_3Se_5$ solar cell, indicating that more Na is necessary, in addition to the Na supply from the soda lime glass, to suppress deep level defects in the $Cu(In,Ga)_3Se_5$ film. The cell efficiency of $CdS/Cu(In,Ga)_3Se_5$ was improved from 8.8 to 11.2% by incorporating Na with $Na_2S$ deposition on the CIGS film. The fill factor was significantly improved by the Na incorporation, due to a decrease of deep-level defects.

• Journal of the Korean Solar Energy Society
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.59-70
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• 2003

A stoichiometric mixture of evaporating materials for $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films was prepared from horizontal electric furnace. Using extrapolation method of X-ray diffraction patterns for the polycrystal $CuGaSe_2$, it was found tetragonal structure whose lattice constant $a_0$ and $c_0$ were $5.615{\AA}$ and $11.025{\AA}$, respectively. To obtain the single crystal thin films, $CuGaSe_2$ mixed crystal was deposited on thoroughly etched semi-insulating GaAs(100) substrate by the hot wall epitaxy (HWE) system. The source and substrate temperatures were $610^{\circ}C$ and $450^{\circ}C$, respectively. The crystalline structure of the single crystal thin films was investigated by the photoluminescence and double crystal X-ray diffraction (DCXD). The carrier density and mobility of $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films measured with Hall effect by van der Pauw method are $5.01\times10^{17}cm^{-3}$ and $245cm^2/V{\cdot}s$ at 293K. respectively. The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of the $CuGaSe_2$ obtained from the absorption spectra was well described by the Varshni's relation, $E_g$(T)=1.7998 eV-($8.7489\times10^{-4}$ eV/K)$T^2$/(T+335K). After the as-grown $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films was annealed in Cu-, Se-, and Ga-atmospheres, the origin of point defects of $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films has been investigated by the photoluminescence(PL) at 10 K. The native defects of $V_{CU},\;V_{Se},\;Cu_{int}$ and $Se_{int}$ obtained by PL measurements were classified as a donors or acceptors type. And we concluded that the heat-treatment in the Cu-atmosphere converted $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films to an optical n-type. Also, we confirmed that Ga in $CuGaSe_2$/GaAs did not form the native defects because Ga in $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films existed in the form of stable bonds.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Electrical and Electronic Material Engineers Conference
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• 2003.07a
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• pp.352-356
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• 2003

A stoichiometric mixture of evaporating materials for $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal am films was prepared from horizontal electric furnace. Using extrapolation method of X-ray diffraction patterns for the polycrystal $CuGaSe_2$, it was found tetragonal structure whose lattice constant $a_0$ and $c_0$ were $5.615\;{\AA}\;and\;11.025\;{\AA}$, respectively. To obtain the single crystal thin films, $CuGaSe_2$ mixed crystal was deposited on thoroughly etched semi-insulating GaAs(100) substrate by the hot wall epitaxy (HWE) system. The source and substrate temperatures were $610^{\circ}C$ and $450^{\circ}C$, respectively, The crystalline structure of the single crystal thin films was investigated by the photoluminescence and double crystal X-ray diffraction (DCXD). The carrier density and mobility of $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films measured with Hall effect by van der Pauw method are $9.24{\times}10^{16}\;cm^{-3}$ and $295\;cm^2/V{\cdot}s$ at 293 K, respectively. The temperature dependence of the energy band gap of the $CuGaSe_2$ obtained from the absorption spectra was well described by the Varshni's relation, $E_g(T)\;:\;1.7998\;eV\;-\;(8.7489\;{\times}\;10^{-4}\;eV/K)T^2(T\;+\;335\;K)$. After the as-grown $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films was annealed in Cu-, Se-, and Ga-atmospheres, the origin of point defects of $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films has been investigated by the photoluminescence(PL) at 10 K. The native defects of $V_{CU}$, $V_{Se}$, $CU_{int}$, and $Se_{int}$, obtained by PL measurements were classified as a donors or accepters type. And we concluded that the heat-treatment in the Cu-atmosphere converted $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films to an optical n-type. Also, we confirmed that Ga in $CuGaSe_2/GaAs$ did not form the native defects because Ga in $CuGaSe_2$ single crystal thin films existed in the form of stable bonds.

• Journal of Magnetics
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.59-63
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• 2007

Ferromagnet/Semiconductor heterostructures have attracted much attention because of their potential applications in spintronic devices. We investigated the electronic structures and magnetism of monolayer Fe on $CuGaSe_2(001)$ by using the all-electron full-potential linearized augmented plane-wave method within a generalized gradient approximation. We considered the monolayer Fe deposited on both the CuGa atoms terminated (CuGa-Term) and the Se atom terminated (Se-Term) surfaces of $CuGaSe_2(001)$. The calculated magnetic moment of the Fe atom on the CuGa-Term was about $2.90\;{{\mu}_B}$. Those of the Fe atoms on the Se-Term were in the range of $2.85-2.98\;{{\mu}_B}$. The different magnetic behaviors of the Fe atoms on two different surfaces were discussed using the calculated layer-projected density of states.

• Current Photovoltaic Research
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.137-144
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• 2021

In this study, the microstructure of the CVD-fabricated Cu(In,Ga)Se₂ (CIGSe) absorber layer by simulating the stacking sequence used in a co-evaporation method, and changes solar cell performance were investigated. The absorber layer prepared by stacking CuSe and (In,Ga)Se between InSe is separated into Ga-free CuInSe₂ and Ga-rich CIGSe, and transformed to CIGSe by selenization heat treatment with slight improvement in the the solar cell efficiency. However, in CVD, since the supply of liquid Cu-Se is not as active as in the co-evaporation method, the nanoocrystalline layer containing a large amount of Ga remained independently in the absorption layer, which acted as a cause of the loss of J_SC and FF. Therefore, by using a precursor structure in which CuGa is sputter-deposited on a single layer of InSe deposited by CVD, performance parameters of V_OC, J_SC, and FF could be greatly improved.

• ETRI Journal
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.779-782
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• 2012

$CuIn_{1-x}Ga_xSe_2$ (CIGS) thin films are grown on Mo/soda lime glass using a reactive sputtering process in which a Se cracker is used to deliver reactive Se molecules. The Cu and $(In_{0.7}Ga_{0.3})_2Se_3$ targets are simultaneously sputtered under the delivery of reactive Se. The effects of Se flux on film composition are investigated. The Cu/(In+Ga) composition ratio increases as the Se flux increases at a plasma power of less than 30 W for the Cu target. The (112) crystal orientation becomes dominant, and crystal grain size is larger with Se flux. The power conversion efficiency of a solar cell fabricated using an 800-nm CIGS film is 8.5%.