Non-aqueous electrodeposited CdHgTe films for solar cell application

The solar cell application of CdHgTe films electrodeposited on ITO/CdS substrates in a non-aqueous bath is described. The deposit is characterized versus the process conditions by XRD and found to possess a preferred (1 1 1) orientation on addition of HgCl^sub 2^ in the electroplating bath. The dependence of device parameters such as series resistance R^sub s'^, ideality factor A and reverse saturation current J^sub 0'^, is also reported. The surface morphology of the deposit is studied in detail using SEM and AFM. Grain regrowth on annealing following CdCl^sub 2^ treatment is indicated. A conversion efficiency of 7.2% under sunlight is successfully demonstrated.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]