|
Abstract:
|
Investigations on thin films that started decades back due to scientific curiosity in the
properties of a two-dimensional solid, has developed into a leading research field in
recent years due to the ever expanding applications of the thin films in the fann of a
variety of active and passive microminiaturized components and devices, solar cells,
radiation sowces and detectors, magnetic memory devices, interference filters,
refection and antireflection coatings etc. [1]. The recent environment and energy
resource concerns have aroused an enonnous interest in the study of materials in thin
film form suitable for renewable energy sources such as photovoltaic devices.
Recognition of the immense potential applications of the chalcopyrites that can fonn
homojunctions or heterojunctions for solar cell fabrication has attracted many
researchers to extensive and intense research on them.
In this thesis, we have started with studies performed on CuInSe, thin films, a
technologically well recognized compound belonging to the l•ill-VI family of
semiconductors and have riveted on investigations on the preparation and
characterization of compoWlds Culn3Se5. Culn5Seg and CuIn7Se12, an interesting group
of compounds related to CuInSe2 called Ordered Vacancy Compounds, having
promising applications in photovoltaic devices. A pioneering work attempted on
preparing and characterizing the compound Culn7Sel2 is detailed in the chapters on
OVC's. Investigation on valence band splitting in avc's have also been attempted for
the first time and included as the last chapter in the thesis. Some of the salient features
of the chalcopyrite c.ompounds are given in the next section .of this introductory
chapter. |