X-ray resonant single-crystal diffraction technique, a powerful tool to investigate the kesterite structure of the photovoltaic Cu sub(2)ZnSnS sub(4) compound

Cu/Zn disorder in the kesterite Cu sub(2)ZnSnS sub(4) derivatives used for thin film based solar cells is an important issue for photovoltaic performances. Unfortunately, Cu and Zn cannot be distinguished by conventional laboratory X-ray diffraction. This paper reports on a resonant diffraction investigation of a Cu sub(2)ZnSnS sub(4) single crystal from a quenched powdered sample. The full disorder of Cu and Zn in the z = 1/4 atomic plane is shown. The structure, namely disordered kesterite, is then described in the space group.