Analysis and fabrication of submicron PbT/ZnTe thin films for superlattice structured solar cells

A model for calculating crucial ZnTe/PbTe superlattice parameters was developed. The model calculates the required film thicknesses that permit developing mini-bands in the structure. It also provides mini-band potential energy values. First order approximations were employed in a Krönig-Penny model to compute the above parameters. Uniform submicron ZnTe (as thin as 200 nm) and PbTe (as thin as 20nm) films have been electrodeposited onto indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass substrates. These films have been characterized structurally, chemically and optically. The results of the modeling and experiments are presented in this paper.