Rapid Recombination by Cadmium Vacancies in CdTe
Seán R. Kavanagh, Aron Walsh, David O. Scanlon
Abstract
hole-polaron, reconciling theoretical predictions with experimental observations. We find the cadmium vacancy facilitates rapid charge-carrier recombination, reducing maximum power-conversion efficiency by over 5% for untreated CdTe-a consequence of tellurium dimerization, metastable structural arrangements, and anharmonic potential energy surfaces for carrier capture.
Topics & Concepts
Cadmium telluride photovoltaicsVacancy defectMetastabilityCadmiumMaterials scienceAcceptorRecombinationPhotovoltaic systemAnharmonicityOptoelectronicsTelluriumChemical physicsDopingEnergy conversion efficiencyIdeal (ethics)Carrier lifetimeChemistryPhotovoltaic effectMolecular physicsAtomic physicsSolar energyFigure of meritOpen-circuit voltageBinding energyChalcogenide Semiconductor Thin Filmssolar cell performance optimizationQuantum Dots Synthesis And Properties