Complete microcrystalline p-i-n solar cell—Crystalline or amorphous cell behavior?

Complete μc-Si:H p-i-n solar cells have been prepared by the very high frequency glow discharge method. Up to now, intrinsic μc-Si:H has never attracted much attention as a photovoltaic active material. However, an efficiency of 4.6% and remarkably high short circuit current densities of up to 21.9 mA/cm2 due to an enhanced absorption in the near-infrared could be obtained. First light-soaking experiments indicate no degradation for the entirely μc-Si:H cells. Voltage-dependent spectral response measurements suggest that the carrier transport in complete μc-Si:H p-i-n cells may possibly be cosupported by diffusion (in addition to drift).