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

Complete µc-Si:H <i>p-i-n</i> solar cells have been prepared by the very high frequency glow discharge method. Up to now, intrinsic µ<i>c</i>-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 µ<i>c</i>-Si:H cells. Voltage-dependent spectral response measurements suggest that the carrier transport in complete µ<i>c</i>-Si:H <i>p-i-n</i> cells may possibly be cosupported by diffusion (in addition to drift).