Abstract: According to the embodiments provided herein, a photovoltaic device can include an absorber layer. The absorber layer can be doped p-type with a Group V dopant and can have a carrier concentration of the Group V dopant greater than 4×1015 cm?3. The absorber layer can include oxygen in a central region of the absorber layer. The absorber layer can include an alkali metal in the central region of the absorber layer. Methods for carrier activation can include exposing an absorber layer to an annealing compound in a reducing environment. The annealing compound can include cadmium chloride and an alkali metal chloride.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices with type II-VI semiconductor absorber materials having improved carrier extraction layers are described herein. Methods of treating semiconductor absorber layers and forming improved carrier extraction layers and p-type contact layers are described.

Abstract: According to the embodiments provided herein, a photovoltaic device can include a buffer layer adjacent to an absorber layer doped p-type with a group V dopant. The buffer layer can have a plurality of layers compatible with group V dopants.

Abstract: According to the embodiments provided herein, a method for forming a photovoltaic device can include depositing a plurality of semiconductor layers. The plurality of semiconductor layers can include a doped layer that is doped with a group V dopant. The doped layer can include cadmium selenide or cadmium telluride. The method can include annealing the plurality of semiconductor layers to form an absorber layer.

Abstract: According to the embodiments provided herein, a photovoltaic device can include a buffer layer adjacent to an absorber layer doped p-type with a group V dopant. The buffer layer can have a plurality of layers compatible with group V dopants.

Abstract: Photovoltaic devices (100) with type ll-VI semiconductor absorber materials (160) having p-type contact layers (180) are obtained by forming a ll-VI absorber layer over a substrate stack (113), wherein the type II material includes cadmium (Cd) and the type VI material includes tellurium (Te); contacting an alkaline wash fluid, comprising a hydroxide, to a second surface of the absorber layer to produce a Cd-rich surface, depositing a p-type contact layer (180) over the absorber layer (160), whereby the p-type contact layer is directly adjacent to the Cd-rich layer, and wherein the p-type contact layer comprises at least one of: PTAA, P3HT, poly-TPD, TFB, TTF-1, TF8-TAA, TIF8-TAA, SGT-407, PCDTBT, SpiroOMeTAD, anthracene-based HTM, polythiophene, semiconducting polymers, NiO, CuSCN, or Cui; and depositing a conductive layer (190) over the p-type contact layer.

Abstract: According to the embodiments provided herein, a photovoltaic device can include an absorber layer. The absorber layer can be doped p-type with a Group V dopant and can have a carrier concentration of the Group V dopant greater than 4×1015 cm?3. The absorber layer can include oxygen in a central region of the absorber layer. The absorber layer can include an alkali metal in the central region of the absorber layer. Methods for carrier activation can include exposing an absorber layer to an annealing compound in a reducing environment. The annealing compound can include cadmium chloride and an alkali metal chloride.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device (100) can include an absorber layer (160). The absorber layer (160) can be doped p-type with a Group V dopant and can have a carrier concentration of the Group V dopant greater than 4×1015 cm?3. The absorber layer (160) can include oxygen in a central region of the absorber layer (160). The absorber layer (160) can include an alkali metal in the central region of the absorber layer (160). Methods for carrier activation can include exposing an absorber layer (160) to an annealing compound in a reducing environment (220). The annealing compound (224) can include cadmium chloride and an alkali metal chloride.

Abstract: According to the embodiments provided herein, a method for forming a photovoltaic device can include depositing a plurality of semiconductor layers. The plurality of semiconductor layers can include a doped layer that is doped with a group V dopant. The doped layer can include cadmium selenide or cadmium telluride. The method can include annealing the plurality of semiconductor layers to form an absorber layer.

Abstract: According to the embodiments provided herein, a method for forming a photovoltaic device can include depositing a plurality of semiconductor layers. The plurality of semiconductor layers can include a doped layer that is doped with a group V dopant. The doped layer can include cadmium selenide or cadmium telluride. The method can include annealing the plurality of semiconductor layers to form an absorber layer.

Abstract: According to the embodiments provided herein, a method for doping an absorber layer can include contacting the absorber layer with an annealing compound. The annealing compound can include cadmium chloride and a group V salt comprising an anion and a cation. The anion, the cation, or both can include a group V element. The method can include annealing the absorber layer, whereby the absorber layer is doped with at least a portion of the group V element of the annealing compound.

Abstract: According to the embodiments provided herein, a photovoltaic device can include a buffer layer adjacent to an absorber layer doped p-type with a group V dopant. The buffer layer can have a plurality of layers compatible with group V dopants.

Abstract: According to the embodiments provided herein, a method for doping an absorber layer can include contacting the absorber layer with an annealing compound. The annealing compound can include cadmium chloride and a group V salt comprising an anion and a cation. The anion, the cation, or both can include a group V element. The method can include annealing the absorber layer, whereby the absorber layer is doped with at least a portion of the group V element of the annealing compound.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device (100) can include an absorber layer (160). The absorber layer (160) can be doped p-type with a Group V dopant and can have a carrier concentration of the Group V dopant greater than 4×1015cm-3. The absorber layer (160) can include oxygen in a central region of the absorber layer (160). The absorber layer (160) can include an alkali metal in the central region of the absorber layer (160). Methods for carrier activation can include exposing an absorber layer (160) to an annealing compound in a reducing environment (220). The annealing compound (224) can include cadmium chloride and an alkali metal chloride.

Abstract: According to the embodiments provided herein, a method for forming a photovoltaic device can include depositing a plurality of semiconductor layers. The plurality of semiconductor layers can include a doped layer that is doped with a group V dopant. The doped layer can include cadmium selenide or cadmium telluride. The method can include annealing the plurality of semiconductor layers to form an absorber layer.

Abstract: Fabricating a layered precursor includes depositing a first film including a first indium gallium selenide compound on a substrate; then depositing a second film including a first CuSe compound; then heating the substrate, the first film and the second film to convert the first CuSe compound in the second film to a first Cu2-xSe (0=<x<1) compound; and then depositing a third film including a indium gallium selenide compound. A layered precursor includes a substrate; a first film coupled to the substrate, the first film including a first indium gallium selenide compound; a second film coupled to the first film, the second film including a first Cu2-xSe where (0=<x<=1) compound; and a third film coupled to the second film, the third film including a second indium gallium selenide compound.

Abstract: A technique includes fabricating a layered precursor including: depositing a first film including a first indium gallium selenide compound on a substrate; then depositing a second film including a CuSe compound; then heating the substrate, the first film and the second film to convert the CuSe compound in the second film to a Cu2-xSe (0.2=?x?1) compound; then reactively depositing a third film including a second indium gallium selenide compound to convert the first film, the second film and the third film into a CIGS absorber film; and forming nanoscale morphological asymmetries in the CIGS absorber film, wherein a surface portion of the CIGS absorber film has a distribution of grain sizes with gaps between most of their surface area characterized by reentrant angles which effectively trap light.

Abstract: A machine includes a thermal ramp chamber; a thermal soak chamber coupled to the thermal ramp chamber; and a cooling chamber coupled to the thermal soak chamber. The cooling chamber can be an indirect cooling chamber including a thermal buffer that includes a substrate carrier. Each of the chambers can include an independently controlled elemental reactant source containing and supplying vapor having both i) independent control of a total vapor pressure of an elemental reactant containing vapor and ii) independent control of a partial vapor pressure of an elemental reactant vapor within that chamber.

Abstract: A method for making a polycrystalline composition, wherein the method includes the steps of a) preparing a precursor material, b) heating the precursor material to a reaction temperature in the presence of a precursor vapor supplied from a source at a preselected partial pressure, for a sufficient time to initiate an interaction between the precursor material and the precursor vapor to form a heated precursor material, and c) cooling the heated precursor material at a predetermined cooling rate, optionally, in the presence of the precursor vapor supplied at a partial pressure, to yield the polycrystalline composition.