Structure and optical properties of CdTe thin films obtained via discrete vacuum thermal evaporation
摘要
CdTe films were obtained via discrete vacuum thermal evaporation (DVTE) with CdCl2 treatment and annealing in an air atmosphere. The CdTe samples were investigated using several techniques: energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic-force microscopy, grazing incidence X-ray diffraction, and Raman analysis. It has been observed that the samples of CdTe films have a cubic structure with predominant orientation (111), a smooth surface without pores or cracks, and the stoichiometric Cd/Te ratio approaches 1. The band gap width is 1.51 eV, and the Urbach energy is in the range of 13–25 meV, increasing for CdTe thin films synthesized with CdCl2. It has been shown that films based on CdTe fabricated via DVTE with CdCl2 treatment and annealing in an air atmosphere at 400 °C predominantly crystallize in the cubic structure of CdTe, have good structural and topographic parameters, are low defectless, have an optimal band gap value, and can be applied as a perspective material for high-efficiency solar cell creation.