Demonstration of B-ion-implanted p-BaSi₂/n-Si heterojunction solar cells

Abstract

The implantation of B atoms into BaSi2 epitaxial films grown by molecular beam epitaxy was performed to form p-type BaSi2 films. It was revealed by Raman spectroscopy that the ion-implantation damage induced in the implanted BaSi2 films was recovered by post-annealing at 600 °C or higher temperatures for 64 min. The hole concentration increased up to 3.1 × 1018 cm−3 at room temperature, indicating that B-ion-implanted p-BaSi2 films are applicable as a hole transport layer. The B-ion-implanted p-BaSi2/n-Si heterojunction solar cells showed the rectifying current-voltage characteristics under AM1.5G illumination and the internal quantum efficiency reached 72% at the wavelength of 900 nm. The conversation efficiency was 2.2%. These results open new routes for the formation methods of BaSi2 solar cells.