19.04.2024 | Technology
A short introduction to CIGS technology
CIGS stands for the components copper (Cu), indium (In), gallium (Ga) and selenium (Se). The main feature of the CIGS technology is the ultra-thin semiconductor layer, which is approx. 2 µm thick.
basics
What does CIGS mean?
CIGS thin-film technology is one of the most powerful and long-term stable thin-film processes.
The main component of photovoltaic modules using CIGS technology is a semiconductor layer approximately two micrometers thick. The abbreviation CIGS stands for the components copper (C), indium (I), gallium (G) and selenium (Se) from which this layer is made. AVANCIS combines the four basic elements with sulphur (S) for its special CIGS thin-film technology.
notes to the illustration
What does CIGS look like under the microscope?
The above image shows a microscopic cross-section of the layer structure of the cadmium/Cd-free AVANCIS CIGS thin-film technology, taken with the aid of a scanning electron microscope (SEM).
Starting with the bottom layer, the molybdenum/Mo back-contact layer, which is deposited on the substrate glass, can be seen in orange.
This layer is followed by a molybdenum sulphoselenide layer/Mo(S, Se)2 - colored yellow, which is formed in the AVANCIS sulphoselenization process by the reaction of sulphur and selenium with the Mo back contact. The Mo(S,Se)2 layer ensures a very good, barrier-free electrical connection between the overlying layer and the Mo back contact.
This overlying positively conducting CIGSSe layer - colored red - is the absorber layer.
A thin so-called buffer layer is then deposited on the CIGS absorber layer, which in the case of AVANCIS CIGS technology consists of Cd-free zinc oxide sulphide/Zn(O,S) - colored blue.
The layer stack is completed by a negatively conducting aluminum-doped zinc oxide layer/AZO - colored green.