Comprehensive Analysis of Morphology, Structure, and Photovoltaic Properties of CdTe and CdTe:In Thin Films

Keywords: CdTe:In thin films, Photovoltaic effect, Short-circuit current spectra, Anomalous photovoltage (APV), Deep energy levels, Thermal treatment, Solar energy materials

Abstract

In this work, the photovoltaic properties and short-circuit current spectra of indium (In)-doped CdTe films were comprehensively investigated. The study covers the spectral sensitivity and light-absorption characteristics of undoped, freshly prepared, and thermally treated CdTe:In films. The effects of doping level and thermal treatment temperature on photovoltaic effect parameters were analyzed. The results showed that indium doping and subsequent thermal treatment significantly improve the photovoltaic efficiency of CdTe films. Using spectroscopic and electron microscopy methods, the chemical composition, surface morphology, and bandgap width of the films were determined, and their interrelation with optical and electrical properties was revealed. The obtained results indicate that films are promising for applications in solar energy devices.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

T.M. Razykov, C.S. Ferekides, D. Morel, E. Stefanakos, H.S. Ullal, and H.M. Upadhyaya, “Solar photovoltaic electricity: Current status and future prospects,” Solar energy, 85(8), 1580-1608 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2010.12.002

D. Bonnet, and P. Meyers, “Cadmium-telluride—Material for thin film solar cells,” Journal of Materials Research, 13(10), 2740 2753 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1557/JMR.1998.0376

V.T. Mirzaev, B.J. Akhmadaliyev, I.I. Yulchiev, M.M. Madraximov, and T.I. Rakhmonov, “Temperature and Infrared Quenching of Equilibrium Conductivity in CdSexS1-x Film,” East European Journal of Physics, (2), 247-251 (2025). https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2025-2-29

S.H. Wei, and S.B. Zhang, “Chemical trends of defect formation and doping limit in II-VI semiconductors: The case of CdTe,” Physical Review B, 66(15), 155211 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.66.155211

X. Wu, “High-efficiency polycrystalline CdTe thin-film solar cells,” Solar energy, 77(6), 803-814 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solener.2004.06.006

A. Romeo, and E. Artegiani, “CdTe-based thin film solar cells: past, present and future,” Energies, 14(6), 1684 (2021). https://doi.org/10.3390/en14061684

P.J.M.P. Scherrer, “Nachr Ges wiss goettingen,” Math. Phys. 2, 98-100 (1918).

J.A. Nelson, The physics of solar cells, (World Scientific Publishing Company, 2003).

M. Ayibzhanov, O. Mamatov, V. Mirzaev, and B. Tuychibaev, “Luminescence spectrum of cadmium chalcogenide photovoltaic film structures and their power enhancement,” E3S Web of Conferences, 583, 04003 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1051/e3sconf/202458304003

H.R. Moutinho, M.M. Al-Jassim, D.H. Levi, P.C. Dippo, and L.L. Kazmerski, “Effects of CdCl2 treatment on the recrystallization and electro-optical properties of CdTe thin films,” Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology A: Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films, 16(3), 1251-1257 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1116/1.581269

F.A. Giyasova, K.N. Bakhronov, M.A. Yuldoshev, I.B. Sapaev, R.G. Ikramov, F.A. Giyasov, et al., “Study of the Influence of Temperature on the Transitions of the CdS/Si/CdTe Heterosystem,” East European Journal of Physics, (4), 461-468 (2025). https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2025-4-47

F.T. Yusupov, V.T. Mirzaev, T.I. Rakhmonov, O.R. Nurmatov, and D.S. Khidirov, “Enhanced optoelectronic properties of ZnO thin films through boron and fluorine Co-doping,” Journal of Ovonic Research, 21(3), 285-296 (2025). https://doi.org/10.15251/JOR.2025.213.285

I.M. Beker, F.B. Dejene, L.F. Koao, and J.J. Terblans, “Impact of deposition voltage on the physicochemical properties of electrodeposited Se-doped CdTe thin films for solar cell applications,” Ionics, 31(7), 7453-7464 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11581-025-06401-2

S.B. Utamuradova, F.A. Giyasova, K.N. Bakhronov, M.A. Yuldoshev, M.R. Bekchanova, and B. Ismatov, “Current Transfer Mechanism in a Thin-Based Heterosystem Based on A2B6 Compounds,” East European Journal of Physics, (3), 325-335 (2025). https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2025-3-31

H. Bayhan, and A.S. Kavasoğlu, “Tunnelling enhanced recombination in polycrystalline CdS/CdTe and CdS/Cu (In, Ga) Se2 heterojunction solar cells,” Solid-state electronics, 49(6), 991-996 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sse.2005.03.012

M. Prabhu, M. Marikkannan, M.S. Pandian, P. Ramasamy, and K. Ramachandran, “Effect of zinc and indium doping in chalcogenide (CdS/Te) nanocomposites towards dye-sensitized solar cell applications,” Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids, 168, 110802 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpcs.2022.110802

R.S.Hall, D. Lamb, and S.J.C. Irvine, “Back contacts materials used in thin film CdTe solar cells—A review,” Energy Science and Engineering, 9(5), 606-632 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1002/ese3.843

F.A. Giyasova, A.Z. Rakhmatov, K.N. Bakhronov, M.A. Yuldoshev, F.A. Giyasov, A.N. Olimov, and N.A. Sattarov, “Physical Principles of Photocurrent Generation in a Silicon-Based Photodiode Structure with a Schottky Barrier,” East European Journal of Physics, (4), 397-406 (2025). https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2025-4-38

T. Sinha, L. Verma, and A. Khare, “Variations in photovoltaic parameters of CdTe/CdS thin film solar cells by changing the substrate for the deposition of CdS window layer,” Appl. Phys. A, 126, 867 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00339-020-04058-4

Published
2026-06-10
Cited
How to Cite
Yulchiyev, I. I., Khidirov, D. S., Raximjonov, J. S., Madraximov, M. M., Abdullaev, S. S., & Mirzayev, V. T. (2026). Comprehensive Analysis of Morphology, Structure, and Photovoltaic Properties of CdTe and CdTe:In Thin Films. East European Journal of Physics, (2), 411-418. https://doi.org/10.26565/2312-4334-2026-2-45

Most read articles by the same author(s)