摘要 |
A p-doped semiconductor layer of a photovoltaic device is formed employing an inert gas within a carrier gas. The presence of the inert gas within the carrier gas increases free hole density within the p-doped semiconductor layer. This decreases the Schottky barrier at an interface with a transparent conductive material layer, thereby significantly reducing the series resistance of the photovoltaic device. The reduction of the series resistance increases the open-circuit voltage, the fill factor, and the efficiency of the photovoltaic device. This effect is more prominent if the p-doped semiconductor layer is also doped with carbon, and has a band gap greater than 1.85V. The p-doped semiconductor material of the p-doped semiconductor layer can be hydrogenated if the carrier gas includes a mix of H2 and the inert gas.
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