We performed a complex secondary ion mass spectroscopy (SIMS) 3D analysis of solar cell structures based on II-VI semiconductors. The chemical composition analysis, as well as the depth distribution of the main elements and contamination were done for AuCu/CdTe/CdS/conducting glass structures. A structure where the II-VI compounds were grown by pulsed laser ablation (PLA) was compared with another structure grown by ion sputtering deposition (ISD). In both cases contamination due to O, C and H was found at high concentrations, particularly at the boundaries between crystallites. In addition to the SIMS depth profiling, the surface roughness (SR) was analysed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Poor SIMS depth resolution was correlated to high surface roughness. The root-mean-square of the surface roughness (R rms ) was found to be higher for ISD than for PLA structures. In addition, the lateral distribution of the main components and contamination were observed in the microscope mode with a resolution of about 1 µm. A larger lateral contamination was correlated to a larger R rms of the analysed surface. Experimental 'diffusion' tails of Cu and Au from the ohmic contacts on the CdTe layer are also explained by a high R rms for this layer.

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To purpose of this work is to determine the biocompatibility of the Zr58Co21Al9Ag12 alloy; vitreous ribbons of the Zr58Co21Al9Ag12 alloy were obtained by a chill block melt spinner. They were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Chemical homogeneity was examined by scanning electron microscopy. Similarly, thermal analysis was performed using differential scanning calorimetry. The nanoindentation test was performed with a Berkovich nanoindenter. Subsequently, the bioactivity was evaluated by chemical immersion in simulated body fluid. After immersion, it was characterized by XRD. A cell adhesion test was performed using mesenchymal stem cells from human dental pulp. Cell viability and proliferation were evaluated with a CCK-8 assay using human lymphocytes. The ribbons have crystalline phases close to 20%. The thermal parameters, Young’s modulus, and hardness were obtained. After the immersion test, Ca and P were identified. Ion release does not exceed critical levels for human cells. The alloy has a higher concentration of adhered cells compared to Ti6Al4V. The alloy remains bio-inert with respect to apatite formation; however, it exhibits excellent cell viability, proliferation, and adhesion behavior.