Pin junction photovoltaic element having I-type semiconductor layer comprising non-single crystal material containing at least Zn, Se and H in an amount of 1 to 40 atomic %.

摘要

An improved pin junction photovoltaic element which causes photoelectromotive force by the junction of a p-type semiconductor layer, an i-type semiconductor layer and an n-type semiconductor layer, characterized in that at least said i-type semiconductor layer comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a ZnSe:H deposited film containing the hydrogen atoms in an amount of 1 to 4 atomic % and crystal grain domains in a proportion of 65 to 85 vol % per unit volume and a ZnSe1-xTex:H deposited film containing the hydrogen atoms in an amount of 1 to 4 atomic % and crystal grain domains in a proportion of 65 to 85 vol % per unit volume and also containing the selenium atoms and the tellurium atoms in a Se/Te quantitative ratio of 1:9 to 3:7 in terms of number of atoms. The pin junction photovoltaic element exhibits an improved photoelectric conversion efficiency for short-wavelength light and has a high open-circuit voltage. The pin junction photovoltaic element does not cause any undesirable light-induced fatigue even upon continuous use for a long period of time.