• English
  • Deutsch
  • Log In
    Password Login
    Research Outputs
    Fundings & Projects
    Researchers
    Institutes
    Statistics
Repository logo
Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
  1. Home
  2. Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft
  3. Artikel
  4. A density functional theory study on the passivation mechanisms of hydrogenated Si/Al2O3 interfaces
 
  • Details
  • Full
Options
2020
Journal Article
Title

A density functional theory study on the passivation mechanisms of hydrogenated Si/Al2O3 interfaces

Abstract
Amorphous aluminum oxide (Al2O3) films are known to provide a high-quality passivation on silicon (Si) surfaces which can result in an enhanced efficiency of Si-based solar cells. After deposition of Al2O3 on Si, a certain temperature treatment is needed to activate the highest surface passivation quality. When the applied temperature is exceeded by a certain level, the passivation quality degrades. This behavior is well known in the production of Si-based solar cells. In order to further elucidate the microscopic origin of passivation mechanisms and its interplay with thermal treatments, we investigate four different atomistic Si/Al2O3 interface models by means of density functional theory simulations. As interfacial hydrogen (H) is deemed to play a key role in Si/Al2O3 surface passivation mechanisms and its amount changes during thermal treatments, two of these models contain hydrogen in different amounts; the other two do not contain any hydrogen. The simulations show that both chemical passivation and field-effect passivation depend on the relative amount of hydrogen via partially competing mechanisms. The obtained results provide novel insights into the passivation mechanisms of Si/Al2O3 interfaces. The results are qualitatively compared to the thermally induced activation and degradation of the Si(100)/Al2O3 surface passivation known from experiments.
Author(s)
Colonna, F.
Fraunhofer-Institut für Werkstoffmechanik IWM  
Kühnhold-Pospischil, S.
Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE  
Elsässer, C.
Fraunhofer-Institut für Werkstoffmechanik IWM  
Journal
Journal of applied physics  
Funder
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft DFG  
DOI
10.1063/1.5123492
Language
English
Fraunhofer-Institut für Solare Energiesysteme ISE  
Fraunhofer-Institut für Werkstoffmechanik IWM  
Keyword(s)
  • alumina

  • aluminum oxide

  • amorphous silicon

  • heat treatment

  • hydrogen

  • oxide films

  • passivation

  • silicon solar cells

  • Photovoltaik

  • Silicium-Photovoltaik

  • Oberflächen: Konditionierung

  • Passivierung

  • Lichteinfang

  • simulation

  • interface

  • Cookie settings
  • Imprint
  • Privacy policy
  • Api
  • Contact
© 2024