Does a dipole layer at the p-i interface reduce the built-in voltage of amorphous silicon p-i-n solar cells?

The open-circuit voltage of amorphous silicon p-i-n solar cells is 0.1-0.3 V less than the total Fermi level shift in the p- and n-type layers. It was hypothesized that a dipole layer at the p-i interface reduces the potential drop across the i-layer. We determine the electrostatic potential profile using an in situ Kelvin probe during incremental depositions of p-type a-Si,C:H and undoped a-Si:H layers by direct current reactive magnetron sputtering. We confirm the existence of a dipole layer, but which produces a potential loss of only similar to 20 mV. Thus, most of the ''missing'' voltage in solar cells must have other origins. (C) 1997 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(97)002145-1].